Darkest Day (Pokémon Sw/Sh fanfic - rewrite available and in progress)

Crowned Shield

After the evens with Zacian, Eliana was deeply determined to try and find it again in hopes of finding Zamazenta as well. She dwelled deep into her research whenever she found the time, which was scarce now that they had to constantly keep moving in order to reach the next gym on time. Hop had made quick work of Bea, rightfully claiming the Fighting Badge as his. The next stop was Ballonlea, which consisted of traveling through a dark, dense forest in order to get there. It had to be worth it, though, for the town was said to be the most beautiful settlement in all of Galar.

But of course their traveling plans were interrupted when they had just started leaving Stow-on-Side. Leon had gone to speak with Rose (in which Raihan internally flipped out about), and Raihan trailed after him in hopes of getting answers. As Hop and Eliana waited outside the town's stadium for them, a new figure approached them. Absol snarled at her appearance, still a bit judgmental about strangers.

Hop recognized her, and Eliana had a feeling she had seen her before. It was only when Hop greeted her when she remembered her name.

"Sonia! It's been a while," he said.

Eliana blinked. Now that she looked at her, this definitely could be the Sonia that she used to know before she left for Sinnoh. She had been best friends with Leon alongside her, a sort of third rival until Eliana left the picture. Sonia had been a very skilled Trainer already, but nothing about her really screamed "Trainer" about her anymore. Her fiery red hair was the same, given that it had grown some since she last saw her. It was the rest of her besides her icy blue eyes that wasn't really decipherable.

"Hop, nice to see you," Sonia replied. Her voice had only changed a little as well. "I take it that your gym challenge is going well."

Hop beamed. "Sure is! That dynamax band the professor gave me sure helps a lot."

Sonia nodded, turning to Eliana. "Now it has surely been quite a while since I've seen you, El. You've changed a lot."

"That's what happens when you don't see someone for eight years," Eliana laughed.

"Champion of Sinnoh suits you. I don't really battle anymore, but it is nice to dream once in a while."

That had her drawn aback. "No battles? You're not a Trainer anymore?"

"Oh, well, kind of. I still have Yamper. But I've taken a different path."

The said pokémon gave a small bark. Eliana hadn't notice him until now. She forgot how cute Yampers could be. Absol leaned down to sniff at it, earning a happy yip from the small dog. She drew back, disgusted by this pathetic creature.

Hop explained, "She's the professor's assistant now. A real smart one, too!"

"I just wish Gram would see that," Sonia sighed. "But enough of me. Where's—"

KaBOOM

That didn't sound good. The three of them turned to the sound, all eyes locked on a short rocky outcropping. That was where the mural was, but hardly anything was left of it due to a large Copperajah smacking the living daylights out of it. But someone was with it. They almost looked like—

"Bede," Hop snarled. He suddenly wasn't so happy anymore.

"He'll destroy the mural!" Sonia cried. She was already running into action.

Eliana ran after her, Hop reluctant to do so as well. In a matter of moments they were at the mural, which was almost crumbled to the ground by now. Bede was in fact behind all this, ordering the Copperajah to destroy the historic work of art.

"Stop that right this instant!" Sonia ordered.

Bede turned his head slightly to look at them through the corner of his eyes. He gave an annoyed sigh, fully facing them now and glaring at them with such hatred that Eliana felt like she could topple over.