A Champion's Soul *Pokemon Fanfic*

Chapter Four

The next day, Victor woke up early eating breakfast with Sobble, Munchlax, and his mother before heading out to Hop's house. Once again greeting the Budew who now had a friend and telling the Wooloo to be careful on its adventure.

Arriving at Hops he was greeted by a enthusiastic Hop and smiling Leon. Waving he walked over to them, listening to Leon. "You spent the whole night with that new partner of yours, right, Hop?" You two getting on all right? Understanding one another? Maybe even built up a bit of love?"

He almost laughed at the barrage of questions the Champion asked. Hop gave his response with just as much enthusiasm, "Course I have, Lee! Victor's made fast friends with his Sobble, too."

Leon nodded, "Then listen up, new Trainers! Believe in yourself and your Pokemon! If you trust in one another and carry on battling side by side long enough, then someday...you might even become worthy rivals for me, the unbeatable Champion!"

Again with that title, it made him want to scowl however before he could control himself he did at Hop's words. "What're you looking at him for, Lee?! I'm the one who'll be coming to challenge you!"

Victor clenched his fists in anger but quickly took a deep breath. He sighed, he really missed his cute adorable Serena.

"If you think Victor might be able to challenge you, then I guess he's my first rival! But I'm not planning to lose to him and miss out on my chance to beat the unbeatable Champion!"

Hop turned to him and he quickly calmed himself down acting as if he wasn't offended. "Just having a Pokemon with you doesn't make you a real Trainer, you know. Proper Trainers raise their Pokemon up to be first-rate in battle, too!"

It took everything in Victor to not scoff at his friend and call him an idiot. He knew nothing about what a Pokemon Trainer was. There were all types of Trainers, those who put on shows, those who battled, those who just explored and took care of their Pokémon.

Leon saved him and also provided him a chance , "Oh, and you think you're worthy of calling yourself such a proper Trainer already, Hop? Guess I'll be the judge of that! Let's see how you handle yourself in a battle against your friend, if he's up for it." He turned to Victor a smile on his face, "What do you say? Willing and ready to take Hop on in the first-ever Pokemon battle of your life?"

Victor couldn't stop the smirk that rose to his face, not even caring about how much it startled Hop, "Sure!"

Leon's smile rose, "Believe in your partner Pokemon! And care for them, too, with all your heart. Do those two things, and I'm certain you'll learn to choose the moves that suit your Pokemon. And more importantly...to have a champion time battling with them!"

As he said so he led them to the battle court. "Looks like everyone's on board, Pokemon and Trainer alike? Then let's do this!"

"I've watched every match that Lee's ever had! I've read every book and magazine he left behind at home, too! I know exactly what to do in order to win!" Hop shouted in excitement.

However as they threw out their Pokemon, Victor looked at him with pity and annoyance.

With a sigh he stated firmly to his partner, "Sobble use Pound three times. And then jump when Wooloo uses Tackle."

Following his commands Sobble used Pound on Wooloo, jumping above as Wooloo used Tackle before using Pound twice more. The poor sheep didn't even last thirty seconds before being knocked out unable to land a single blow. Scorbunny had it even worse as he had Sobble blast it with Water Gun the moment it hit the ground.

Sobble came running over as he praised him for his performance. Letting Sobble stay on his shoulder he turned to Hop. "You beat my two Pokémon with your one?! You and that Sobble are too much!"

He hung over as he spoke. "Well, that was a shock! Guess I know now why Lee thought he should give you a Pokemon, too..."

Leon nodded, "You and your Pokemon all fought hard. Made me almost want to let out Charizard and join in on all the fun!" He turned to look at Sobble, "Good effort out there, Sobble! Why don't I get you all sorted?"

Leon handed Sobble a Oran Berry as he continued, "And, Victor, you've got real promise! In fact, I've got a favor to ask you... Be a real rival to Hop, would you? Push him, and make the both of you stronger!"

Victor merely smiled, he wouldn't say yes but he also wouldn't say no.

Hop stated firmly, "I already want to get stronger and stronger! You've seen me battle now, Lee, so come on—you've gotta let me take on the Pokemon Gyms!"

Victor perked up at the words Pokemon Gym, he enjoyed them greatly but it'd been a while since he had joined them as Alola had none.

Leon laughed, "You? Join the Gym Challenge? You think you're ready for the single greatest competition in the Galar region? Not putting the cart before the Rapidash there, Little Brother? If that's really what you want to do, you two have a whole lot you need to learn about Pokemon."

He paused and turned to Victor in concern, "Especially your friend Victor. Before you think about getting Gym Badges, best to think about getting a Pokédex. A Trainers Pokédex helps them learn lots of things about all the Pokémon out there, including their strengths. But it's more than just a collection of data, you know. It's a record of a Trainers love and passion for Pokémon training!"

Hop nodded, "Right, right, we get it... Pokédexs, then! We're on it! Looks like it's off to the Pokemon Research Lab for you and me, Victor!"

"That's the kind of enthusiasm a Trainer needs! I'll let the professor know to expect you." Leon nodded happily.

"I'm goin to be the next Champion, so completing a simple Pokédex will be nothing! Just another page in the tale of my legend!" Hop turned to Victor. "You'd probably better go tell your mum that we're heading out, though."

Victor nodded and started to head back to tell his mother the news.