Snow Smitten - Hop - Pt. I
After realizing how much you missed your hometown, working an upwards 8 figure job and being stuck in Wydon for months, you decide to ride back to Wedgehurst for a holiday visit. Although, along the way, you meet up with your old Gym-Challenge fling Hop, who is unreasonably clumsy but can make a mean cup of cocoa.Â
You strolled down the frosty streets of Wydon, a blissful look on your face as you pulled your luggage behind you. Bright billboards all showed the typical ads of the holidays, Wooloo with cute santa hats and Glaceon among other ice types snuggling to a model with a typical Christmas outfit. The streets were also filled with window shoppers, enamoring at gaudy clothing articles or any other item put in flashy displays.Â
You were on your way to the station, off to Wedgehurst for a seasonal visit to your hometown to accomodate for how busy youâd been with your work in the past few months. You werenât the champion, nor a gym leader, but still your work kept you as busy as a Combee. But this trip had you excited, a skip in your step as you passed by the vendors. Honestly, you had to plan the ride weeks in advance, just with how busy the monorail business got around this time of year.Â
Just around the corner was the plaza, the large stone fountain with the Corviknight, Corvisquire, and Rookidee statues leading you to your destination. Wyndon station, itâs sign and overall exterior decorated with ornaments and ribbons- just what youâd expect. Honestly, you couldnât help but smile at the sight, just knowing how happy everyone got in Galar in winter.Â
You entered, pushing a hand through the front of your hair, as a bit of snow had fallen and gotten on you. Although it was fine, snow was just common really wherever you went in the north.Â
âWhere are you headed today?â A monorail attendant asked, flashing you a soft smile before clicking away on a computer.
âIâm off to Wedgehurst.â You smiled, handing the woman the ticket as you waited for her to register.Â
She then nodded, âHappy holidays.â
âSame to you.â You then boarded the monorail, dragging your luggage to sit in a small booth near the back, setting your suitcase right next to you. You patiently waited for everyone else to board, looking out the window at the interior of Wydon Station. Just as cheery as the outside, with a complimentary christmas tree and christmas lights strewn all across the place.
âThe monorail from Wydon Station will now be heading off.â A sharp ding sounded the departure, and you watched as the landscape turned from bustling metropolis to quiet forest, the land covered in a blanket of frost. The forest was quiet, tranquil. Pokemon ran about, snuggling and playing as if they too enjoyed the season.Â
It wasnât long before you found yourself lost, watching the rolling hills and various towns that faded in and out as the almost 6 hour ride continued on and on. The little jingle that played as the ride continued was also very jolly, the typical ringing of bells, violin strums, piano keys and wonderful humming cues. However, another trill sound of unboarding sounded, and a voice boomed tiredly.
âLast stop of the day, any passengers stopping at Wedgehurst Station should exit now.â The sleepy nature of the voice reminded you of yourself, drowsy from the long ride. However, you had gotten on rather early, so the sky outside was bright and there was much to be done.
You then dragged your suitcase out of the monorail, waving to the assistant at the exit before stepping out of the station. You exited with a few others, although they filtered out fast. It was great to be in Wedgehurst again, especially when everyone was in the spirit of the winter months. Breathing in, you can practically taste the fresh baked goods, and you can hear the jingling of bells hung up with white and red ribbons.
But...there was someone you wanted to see. You quickly rushed across the street, to the purple church-style building with a familiar red and white Pokeball framed just above the doorway.
A dangling wooden sign read âProfessor Soniaâs Labâ, and a bright expression filled your face. It was a bit different from what you remembered it to be, but the excitement of being reunited with an old friend was all you needed to get knocking on the door.
You could hear a womanâs voice from the other side of the door, âBe there in a sec!â You clench your fist in excitement, grip tight on your suitcase as you waited for the door to open. And then as soon as you could say âchampion timeâ, the familiar orange-haired, lab coat clad woman stood before you.Â
â[name]? Is that really you? Itâs been forever!â Sonia exclaimed, quick to wrap your arms around you for a hug. She didnât let go for a minute, reminding you of the spine-crushing rumors surrounding the strength of a Bewear.Â
After she let you go, you croaked, â...Yeah, itâs me. I came to visit, since Iâve been so busy in Wyndon.â You exhaled, again fiddling with your hair as you swiped a bit behind your ear. âIs Hop here?â You nervously asked, wheeling your suitcase in front of yourself to save your spine from being crushed.Â
âNow that I think about it- no! He told me heâd be out for a bit, so why donât you come in? We can catch up while we wait for him to come back.â She smiled, pushing open the door and allowing you to see the again familiar holiday decor. You spend a while talking with Sonia, here telling you about her recent discoveries and you telling her about the strenuous working but good success of your job at Wydon Stadium.
âI can see you must be making bank,â Sonia laughs, taking off her coat as the heater begins to kick in from the back room of the lab.Â
âI suppose, but itâs great to be back in the place where I grew up, where we grew up.â You share a laugh, before taking a Luxury ball from your pocket. âSpeaking of reuniting..â You then lightly toss the ball, out popping a Glaceon will a small trill.
âWhereâs Yamper?â You ask, as your Glaceon goes to Sonia to receive attention.Â
âRight here.â Sonia then whistled, and from the back room of the lab, Yamper came skidding around the corner, barking. It then out a happy bark, jumping onto the chair where you sat and begging for pets.Â
âStill as dumbfoundingly cute as I remember âm.â You coo, taking the time to rub the electric dog behind the ears before it jumps to the ground and shakes out itâs zappy fur. Sonia nods, before you hear yet another knock at the door. Yamper then ran up, scratching at the door with itâs little paws, while Glaceon moved over to your side.
 Hop then busted through the door, eyes closed and a box in his hands. âHey Sonia, Iâm back-â He then looked over your direction, almost dropping the box before scrambling to keep steady. â[name]..[name]!â He then rushed over, setting down the box on a table before rushing over to you and engulfing you in a hug. âI didnât think youâd be here, youâre always so busy with work and I-âÂ
âHop, itâs me. For real!â You tried to calm him, again almost feeling like your internal organs were being compressed. You sighed as you were finally released, shoulders slouching.
âSorry, sorry- Iâm just so excited to see you!â Hop laughed, acting like a happy Stufful after itâs owner returns home. âItâs been forever!â Hop exclaimed again, and Sonia laughed from the chair she sat in.
 âIâm excited to see you too, Hop- Itâs really an excitement to see you all, to be back in Wedgehurst.â You smiled,as Hop untangled from you and turned to the box on the table. âI got some stuff, but that can wait. I just- this is so great!â Hop smiled, stuffing hisÂ
You smiled at Hop. For a small fling you had in the gym challenge (of course, before you quit), he had become quite charming. Although he still seemed to be clumsy, as he fumbled over the box he walked in with trying to hand it to Sonia.Â
Then, Hop turned back to you. âHey, [name], come on! Iâve gotta show you something- since youâre here and all now.â He smiled to you, and turned to Sonia. âThat alright with you, Professor?â
 âTake your time. Iâll be here- Iâd better unpack this thing and get to work anyways.â Sonia offers a smile, before ushering away, Yamper right at her feet. Your Glaceon followed, seemingly disinterested by you and the verb-named guy.
Exiting, you look to Hop. âYouâre definitely different than I remember you, Hop.â You tried to keep up with him as he led you through Wedgehurst, smiling and waving at various townsfolk and watching lights cut on and off as the Pokemon Center staff tried to fix their decorations. Â
âWhat can I say? I was stupid then,â Hop spoke, dashing a bit forwards into the snowy route. He seemed ecstatic, jumping around like a fiery Scorbunny. You followed him, a bit skeptical to what he was taking you into a route for. But that seemed obsolete, as keeping up with him gave no time for idle thoughts.
âWell, Smart Guy, where are we headed?â You joked, finally matching his pace as your shoes sunk into the snow. Hop didnât answer, just simply taking your hand and continuing through. You rolled your eyes, only feeling more inclined to keep up.Â
You then stopped at a tree, which unlike the others in the frosty route, was slightly decorated, with berry ornaments and pretty lights. Hop grasped your other hand, bringing you under it.
âSo, I...I just wanted to tell you something.â He let go of your hands, tucking his own palms into the pockets of his jacket. You wait patiently, unconsciously beginning to curl your fingers. âI still have the same feelings for ya.. that I did during the Gym Challenge and I-â He paused for a moment. âIf you feel the same, then maybe we wonât have to be lonely anymore.â
You were going to speak, but then Hop seemed shocked. âWhat am I saying?â He mumbled before running off. âHop, wait!â You then fumble after him, but heâs gone like an Eldegross in the wind.Â










