A year and a half after the events of SwSh, a(just turned) 17 year old Hop decides to study abroad in Kalos; with a recommendation from Professor Sycamore himself.
But; Not only is Hop journeying to Kalos to further his academics on becoming a future pokemon professor, but he is also the sole respondent of trading information about Dynamax and Infinite energy. Things that could change both; maybe eventually all region's futures.
However, there is another reason he chose Kalos over the other regions; one he hadn't told to anyone, not even his best friend.
A year and half prior; Hop was granted the honor of capturing one of the regions legendary pokemon; Zacian.
Hop doesn't understand why he got that honor, because to him he hadn't done anything worthwhile. I mean sure; he managed to calm the wild beast when she was stricken with dynamax energy, but he's still not sure how he even managed to do that.
What he does know is that ever since the night after capture; he's felt... alone? He wasn't sure what he felt. Yes he could just talk to his friend; but he doubt they would have more information than he had; having only caught the brother legendary within the same hour.
So; what would any teenager do when feeling alone. Go straight to the internet! And as he was boarding the ship to the neighbouring region he was glad he did. For he might not have gotten in contact with not only others who seemed to also manage to capture other legendaries (although, it was hard to discern what was real or not. It was the internet after all) Hop also managed to get in contact with one of Professor Sycamore's former students, and she promised to give Hop any awnsers he needed; (again, he was sceptical about it; but he had confirmed on a video-call with the Professor and she was in fact real.)
But regardless; Hop was setting off on an opportunity of a life time. To active awnsers not only for himself. But maybe for the Galar region as a whole.
He was sure this trip abroad would fly by due to him having a lax but exciting year ahead of him.
An easy in & out trip; (and as he reassured he family and friends many times) He would be back home safe and secure!