More Than Rivals Pokémon SWSH Hop x reader

|Part 11: My Concerns.|

Hop hadn't contacted you ever since that day he told you he'd be meeting you elsewhere. There was other text messages on your contacts, just not his.

You wondered what had happened to him, considering he never leaves you like that. He's always been one to always talk to you almost everyday even if he was busy or up to something.

It was worrying to see Hop not talking to you, maybe he was mad at you because of the "fake win" you gave him. But he didn't seem mad at all....

You questioned it, you were debating on giving him a call before someone quickly grabbed your phone off your hands.

"Nice phone, did you finish fighting Allister already ?"
That familiar voice said.

You saw Raihan sitting next to you, he snatched your Rotomphone and took some quick pictures of himself with it.

"Is this the latest model ? You must be making it big as I do!"
Raihan smiled.

"Well yeah, it is."
You nodded in agreement.

"Do ya know your way through here? Come on let's head to Ballonlea."
Raihan said as he walked ahead of you.

You followed behind him, soon enough he had disappeared with no traces of him being found now. It was just you, alone in the Glimwood Tangle. You got lost around, often running around and ending up on same areas again, or even running into trainers. You tried to look for the way out but it seemed a lot blocked your way.

"Hey, are you lost....?"
A familiar voice said.

You turned to look over, seeing a familiar person. It was Hop, he stood there with a slight smile.

You felt a sigh of relief, seeing the person you liked besides you made you feel relaxed. He'd grab your hand and hold it in his.

"Come on, let's get out of here."
Hop nodded.

You held on to his hand tightly, you both ran out of Gilmwood Tangle together. You gasped for air, feeling glad that you had now finally arrived to Ballonlea.

"Hop.... We did it.... We...."
You noticed your hand felt less heavier and empty.

You looked over to where Hop was supposed to be standing, but there was no one there. You looked around, rubbed your eyes, and pinched your skin to make sure you weren't seeing things but this was no dream. Hop really wasn't there.

Do I really miss him that much that I just hallucinated him here with me.....??

You sighed deeply, feeling regret over this. If you could have a word with Hop you would work things out with him. He was the friend you had since you were children, sure you had many other friends, or maybe less other friends, maybe Hop was your only friend or so.

You went on to the gym in Ballonlea, this one would specialize in fairy type.

"Name and age, and why are you auditioning here for?"
A lady said.

"Auditioning? I'm just here to battle the gym leader. My name is (y/n) and I'm age (age number)."
You said.

"Alright, go on ahead. You'll meet our gym leader Opal from there."
The lady said, asking you to move on and not caring about your answers.

You walked up ahead, only to find yourself standing on a stage.

"Ah, you must be (y/n) correct? I just received your paperwork, my name is Opal and I'm the gym leader of this place. Though, I'd like to see what talents you have so...."
Opal grabbed a notepad and looked over at you.

I'm sure I have to tell her answers that she'd like to hear right ? One wrong answer and I would screw up.

"How old am I?"
She'd ask.

You were confused for a minute, looking around. You didn't want to be mean so you made a random guess.

"Sixteen ?"
You smiled a little while shrugging.

Opal looked over at you.

"Correct !"
She'd smile.

"I like you already new trainer, you'd make an excellent replacement for when I retire."
Opal said.

Replacement ? Retiring ? What's this about???

You fought through many different fairy type trainers and answered a series of weird questions simply. After that you fought against Opal the sixteen year old Wizard.

You were given your badge, and headed off.

"Before you leave Ms. (y/n), I liked you but you weren't qualified well enough for being the gym leader of the Fairy types here. Though I would appreciate one day if you happened to find someone would be my successor."
Opal smiled.

"I'm sorry about that Ms. Opal, I'll find you someone soon. Thank you for this battle."
You nodded.

"A boy your age came here, come to think of it he mentioned you earlier. He looked like the champion but younger. Hope? Hopkins? Hoops? What was his name again....??"
She'd question as she thought to herself.

"Hop, his name's Hop. What'd he say?"
You questioned.

"That's up to you to figure it out, he told me a small message to give you. That's... If you reached this far, meet me by Circhester Spa. There's something I have to talk to you about. How romantic."
Opal smiled.

Your face flushed a little.

"Thank you Ms. Opal."
You nodded and left.

—Opal's pov—

I remember the look in that boy's eyes, young Leon or well Hoops.

"I want to get stronger....!"
He'd shout, as he challenge me.

"What for, boy....?"
I questioned him.

"I've spent my time thinking I was better than anyone, that if I was strong then I can be as equal as to my rival, (y/n). But even so I lost to people, the cloud nine hair guy and trainers so on, I realized I was weak that I felt I'd never be higher up than her so I can impress her. I've always been ahead of her and it's just—"

"Boy, give me your name."
I interrupted him.

"Hop.... Hop, Ms. Opal."
Hop stared nervously.

"You're absolutely wrong, you must really like this (y/n) person but if you do you can't put her on some pedestal while you continue to suffer down the line. You have to tell her, be honest with her. You're probably hurting slowly just by not talking things out with her. You can do it Hope."
I said.

"Ms. Opal it's Hop—"

"What was that Hopscotch?"
I questioned.

"Nothing, thank you Ms. Opal."
I left.

Thinking about it now, that boy reminds me of a younger Leo? Leanne ? Louisiana ? What was his name again....??

Oh well, love huh....? I sure hope they know what they're getting themselves into.