"Ugh… yawn…"
The bed's softer than usual, making it hard to get up. Travel fatigue from yesterday's long journey lingers, despite napping on the plane. (I deserve props for avoiding jet lag…) But I can't justify oversleeping.
(Just thirty more minutes…) I burrow into the blankets.
"Furia! Everyone's waiting!" Sonia's voice echoes from downstairs.
My consciousness flickers but slips back to dreamy comfort. As I drift…
"Wake! Up!" Sonia yanks off the blankets. Galar's chilly air hits, forcing me to sit up.
"Morning…" I mumble, rubbing my eyes.
"You're adorable like this… but wow, are you that bad with mornings?" Sonia teases.
"Partly… yesterday's travel was rough…" I yawn.
"I forgot you arrived yesterday. That was intense. Still tired? You can rest more."
"No… I'll get up."
Sleep clings, but I slept early last night, so I'm mostly recovered—just a bit jet-lagged. Hop and Yuurie delayed their Gym Challenge plans to stick with me yesterday, despite wanting to head to Engine City for the opening ceremony tomorrow. They insisted on waiting, saying we're friends now. Their kindness is overwhelming. Dande's already left for Engine City to prepare.
"I'll head downstairs. Take your time," Sonia says, closing the door.
I rub my eyes, wash up, and change into my usual outfit: navy pants, white shirt, gray hoodie, red cap, and blue scarf (holding the last two for now). "Still sleepy…"
I head to the living room, lured by the smell of breakfast. Everyone's eating—Sonia's toast, onion soup, and scrambled eggs, light and perfect for my morning grogginess.
"Yo, Furia, morning!" Hop greets.
"Morning, Furia. You look beat," Yuurie says.
"Morning, Hop, Yuurie… so sleepy…" I yawn, digging in.
Magnolia and Sonia glance over, but I cover my mouth, hoping they'll forgive my manners.
"Sinnoh's far, with a time difference. No wonder you're tired," Magnolia says.
"You came alone. That's exhausting," Sonia adds.
"Didn't expect jet lag to hit this hard…" I admit.
If only something could jolt me awake.
"Furia!" Hop grins. "This'll wake you up!"
"What?"
"Single Pokémon battle, one-on-one. Ready?" Sonia announces.
"Never fought you before, Furia. This'll be fun!" Hop says.
"Yup, this'll do it. I'm pumped to battle you!" I reply.
We stand on Magnolia's backyard battle court. The battle was meant to wake me up, but my eyes are already sharp, and now it's about the thrill. I've battled a few trainers in Galar, but not Hop or Yuurie. Watching them on Route 2, I saw their potential—sharp instincts, quick decisions. They're like Koki, destined for greatness. I meant it when I told Yuurie she'd be big. I want to battle her too, but first, Hop.
"Let's go!" Hop shouts.
Pokémon Trainer Hop challenges you to Juno battle!
"Go, Grookey!" Hop calls.
"Sobble, let's do this!" I shout.
"Gruu!" Grookey roars.
"Mesoo!" Sobble chirps.
Type disadvantage or not, my experience will shine. "Show me what you've got, Hop!"
"Here we go! Grookey, Scratch!" Hop orders.
Grookey charges, claws gleaming. Sobble trembles slightly.
"Stay calm, Sobble. Watch and pull it in."
"Mesoo!" Sobble steadies.
"Now, step back!" I command as Grookey's claws swing.
Sobble dodges, leaving Grookey open. "Pound!"
Sobble spins, tail-smacking Grookey's cheek, sending it flying.
"Nice, Furia! You've got distance control," Hop says.
"Thanks to Sobble's speed," I reply.
Grookey glares, undeterred. "Scratch again, Grookey! Quick, small hits!"
Sobble dodges, but Grookey's faster strikes leave no opening for Pound. I call, "Water Gun!"
Sobble's water blast slows Grookey, but the Grass-type powers through, landing a Scratch. "Nice hit," I mutter. (Tougher than expected.)
"Water Gun the ground, Sobble!" Water splashes, creating puddles.
"What's that for?" Hop wonders. "Grookey, Scratch!"
Sobble leaps right, left, over puddles, luring Grookey. "Water Gun the puddle!"
A water curtain blinds Grookey. "Growl, Sobble!"
"Mesoo!" Sobble's cry lowers Grookey's attack. Grookey's Scratch misses as Sobble circles behind.
"Pound!" Sobble's tail slams Grookey through the mist, knocking it down.
"Growl for misdirection and attack reduction, then striking the gap… incredible," Hop says.
"We're just getting started!" I reply. "You and Grookey aren't done, right?"
"Of course not!" Hop grins. Grookey bangs its stick, hyping itself up.
"Scratch!" Grookey charges, avoiding puddles.
(That trick won't work again. Sobble's speed is key.) "Dodge!"
Sobble leaps, but Hop shouts, "We've got your timing! Step in!"
Grookey halts Scratch, closing in. "Branch Poke!"
The glowing stick extends—a Grass move. No dodging in midair. "Growl, Sobble!"
Sobble's cry weakens the attack, but Branch Poke hits, sending Sobble reeling. (Low defense… another hit could end it.)
"Growl again!" I call, but Hop smirks. "Grookey, Taunt!"
*(Taunt too!?) *Sobble's locked into attacking moves.
"Branch Poke!" Grookey charges.
"Rush in, Sobble!" Sobble sprints, surprising Hop. As Branch Poke swings, I shout, "Pound its arm upward!"
Sobble deflects the attack. "Bind!"
Sobble's tail wraps Grookey, squeezing. Hop yells, "Branch Poke!"
"Grab its arm!" Sobble pins Grookey's arm, tightening the bind. Grookey struggles, slowly breaking free.
"Hold on!" I urge.
"Sobble's almost free!" Hop shouts.
As Bind releases, I yell, "Water Gun!"
Sobble's blast hits Grookey mid-leap, slamming it into a tree. Its eyes swirl—knocked out.
"Grookey's unable to battle! Sobble wins!" Sonia declares.
"Great job, Sobble!" I pant.
"Mesoo…" Sobble slumps, exhausted.
"Damn, that was awesome!" Hop recalls Grookey. "You're strong, Furia. I had the type advantage!"
"Just some tricks. You'd probably win a rematch," I say. (Growl's misdirection and water curtains won't work twice.)
"Amazing battle!" Yuurie cheers.
"Been a while since I saw one this intense," Sonia adds.
"Wonderful fight," Magnolia says.
I blush, forgetting the audience. Hop and I shake hands.
"Man, I want to battle you too!" Yuurie says.
"Definitely soon," I promise.
"Absolutely!" she insists.
(They both love battling so much.) I wish we'd fought sooner.
"So, Furia, awake now?" Hop teases.
"Oh, right, that was the point!" I laugh. "Got too into it."
"Forgetting already?" Sonia sighs. "Typical."
"Let's heal Grookey and Sobble, then head out," Hop says. "The train tracks are down—Snorlax bent them. We can take the train to the Wild Area, then walk to Engine City."
"We're walking the Wild Area?" I ask.
The Wild Area—Galar's vast, untamed land of Pokémon. I've been dying to explore it.
"Let's go! I've been stoked for this!" I say.
"Me too!" Hop adds.
"I want to meet tons of Pokémon!" Yuurie says.
We nod, ready to move, but Magnolia stops us. "Wait."
She holds three Dynamax Bands, made from yesterday's Wishing Stars. "A gift for your journey."
I slip mine on, feeling a warm thrill. (This is gonna be wild.)
"You can Dynamax in parts of the Wild Area. Practice before the Gym Challenge," Magnolia says. "Now go, enjoy it with all your heart."
"Thank you!" we chorus, bowing.
With bands, lodging, and meals, I'm beyond grateful. As we leave, Magnolia turns to Sonia. "They're off. What about you?"
"Me!?" Sonia gasps, looking pensive.
(Something serious?) We exchange glances and head out, leaving them to talk. (Good luck, Sonia.)
Back in Brassie Town, we heal at the Pokémon Center and buy train tickets to the Wild Area. As we approach the gate, two women—likely Hop and Yuurie's moms—stop us.
"You're Furia," one says. "Hop told me about Slumbering Weald. Thank you, and sorry for his trouble."
"Yuurie too. Thank you," the other adds.
"No trouble at all. They've been great," I reply.
"Mom, don't embarrass me!" Hop groans.
"Mom!" Yuurie whines.
We chat, their moms reminiscing about their kids' journeys. It reminds me of my own mom's send-off. I chuckle.
"Furia's laughing! Thinks we're rookies!" Hop teases.
"Nah, just nostalgic," I say.
"Sure, you're smirking!" Yuurie adds.
"Train's leaving! Let's go!" I dodge, boarding the train.
Their playful jabs follow, and we tease each other quietly. The train's whistle sounds, almost laughing with us, as our adventure begins.