Wish Upon

Benefactor?

        Aiden let out a long yawn as he sat at the bar with his morning cup of coffee. It was six in the morning and he would be pulling a double shift. As he looked down at the Wyndon Weekly, the sound of the door opening drew his attention away for a moment. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he could see his boss sifting through the mail and muttering under his breath. 

        "Bill, bill, paychecks and... huh?" the owner paused, scratching his head as he saw an envelope addressed to Aiden. "Hey Warren, you've got mail bud!" 

        Aiden arched a brow. Taking the envelope from his boss, he looked at it for a moment before tearing it open. What he read astonished him.

        Aiden Warren,

        This letter is to inform you that you have been given a sponsorship for the upcoming Galar League annual Champion Cup. The funds for your uniform, Pokédex, as well as your license renewal, have all been taken care of. You will receive your uniform upon your arrival in Motostoke City for the opening ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am, so please make sure you are there by 9:00 am for check-in and uniform distribution. 

Sincerely, 

Your sponsor

        "What's the scoop Warren?" his boss asked as he came around the other side of the counter Aiden was seated at. 

        "I've been given a letter of endorsement," Aiden replied, disbelief evident in his tone as he looked the letter over again. 

        "You mean for the League?" replied his boss as he restocked the kegs and wine bottles. "I thought you'd hung up your trainer gloves years ago mate." 

        Aiden sighed, responding, "I never hung them up, I just... never started. Being a trainer was a dream of mine for a little while, but as I got older I realized that it wasn't something I could pursue as a steady career unless I went pro and made a name for myself."

        "That may be true for some places, but here in Galar, stadium battles are huge. Matches are sold out no matter which gym challenge is going on. Of course, the Champion's battles are more crowded than others, but that's beside the point. There's money in battling is what I'm trying to say."

        "Yeah, if I'm up to snuff like the other trainers out there. Besides, aren't I a little old to be starting something like this? I'm twenty-five for Arceus sake," Aiden muttered. 

        "That's a load of codswallop and you know it Aiden!" his boss snapped, slamming a fist on the table while jabbing his pointer finger at him. "You're plenty up to snuff with all the know-how you have about battling. Did you think I wasn't payin' attention when you were taking notes down in that little book of yours about every gym leader's battle style? why, if you had yourself a proper team, you'd be able to give them a run for their money!" 

        "Yeah but—"

        "Come off it Aiden. I've been listening to your rambling about our region's leaders and the Champion ever since you started working here and quite frankly, I think it's a waste that you're not out there yourself takin' names in the pitch. As your boss, and friend, I think it's time you got out there and made use of your talents!"

        "Hold on a sec! you're not firing me are you?" Aiden exclaimed, alarmed.

        "I wouldn't say I'm firing you. Call it a promotion to a higher calling. Trust me, you'll thank me later once you've made it to the big time," his boss said with a grin.