Sword-kun and Hop Go Out

Sword hesitated for a moment, his right hand hovering just above the door of the Wedgehurst Research Lab.

Slowly he lowered his hand. He wondered if he should even be doing this. It'd been more than a few months since Sword's last battle against him in the Slumbering Weald. And while he took his defeat in stride, Sword was worried that Hop might resent him a little for not making any time to go check up on him and his progress in his new endeavor to become a Pokemon Professor. Being Champion was very busy work. Sword's leather jacket was noticeably more worn than it was a few months ago. And on top of it all, he had taken it upon himself to complete the Galar PokeDex during the last few months as well.

Sword shook his head, trying to regain himself. Even if Hop did resent him, it'd be better if he told Sword face to face rather than him finding out through some secondary source. Sword didn't want to think of that possibility any longer, and so he raised his hand to knock on the door.

*Knock. Knock.*

Within half a second the door flew open, much to Sword's surprise. In the doorway was Professor Sonia with an excited look on her face.

"Wha-!"

"Sword!" Sonia interrupted. "Get in here, you! Hop is gonna jump for joy when he sees you here!"

"He.. Really!?" Sword gasped as Sonia dragged him inside and to the kitchen. Before Sword could even blink the pair were seated at the kitchen table, with a mug of hot chocolate in his hand and Sonia's '#1 Professor!' coffee mug in her hand.

"Of course! I saw you hesitating out there, and when I saw you about to turn away I was about to throw the door open and drag you in myself!" Sonia beamed happily, as though that hadn't been more or less what happened. "He's been very busy studying, but he still talks about you all the time!"

"He.. He isn't upset that I haven't been around in months?"  Sword asked, nervously taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" Sonia mischievously replied. "Hop!! Hop, someone's here~!"

"W-Wait a minute!" Sword tried crying out, but it was too late. He could hear Hop's footsteps descending the stairs of the lab and rushing towards the kitchen.

"What is it now, Professor Sonia?" Sword could hear Hop calling out.

As Hop rounded the corner to the lab's kitchen, Sword could see that his appearance had changed too. Gone was his carefree furred denim jacket, and in it's place was a scholarly white lab coat. He also carried a fountain pen on his hear.

"That research isn't gonna go any quicker if you keep interrupting me-!" He said out of breath before noticing Sword sitting at the table. "What the-"

"Hey, Hop-!" Sword started before being enveloped in a hug from the young lab assistant.

"Sword!" He exclaimed happily. "It's been a while, mate! I'm so glad you're here!"

"Likewise." Sword smiled, returning the hug.

"I've missed you!" They said simultaneously, before breaking their hug and blushing a bit.

Sonia looked as though her heart was about to burst from how sweet and adorable that exchange was, and both Sword and Hop stare daggers at her for it.

"A-Anyways.." Sword stammered, eventually breaking the silence. "Are you very busy today, Hop? I was wondering if you'd like to go somewhere and catch up."

"Well.." Hop said, scratching the back of his head. "I should probably finish this research Professor Sonia told me to do-"

"I'll take care of it!" Sonia interrupted. This caught the two boys by surprise.

"Y-You will!?" Hop exclaimed.

"Of course!" Sonia answered. "You've been working so hard these past few months. Go take a break and catch up with Sword!"

While Sword couldn't help feel that Sonia may have had other motivations for getting him and Hop to spend time together, he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to catch up with his old friend after so long. He'd been looking forward to it for a while, after all. And he'd be lying to himself if he didn't realize that he was definitely thinking along the same lines as Sonia was.

"I'll call the Air Taxi." Sword said, shaking himself from his thoughts. He can worry about that later.

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"Bye Sonia!" The pair called out to a happily waving Sonia as the Corviknight carrying them began it's ascent.

Once Sonia was out of sight, the two got as comfortable as they could in the somewhat-cramped cab of their Air Taxi. They were huddled rather close together, with Hop finding himself huddling even closer as it tended to get a bit cold in the Air Taxi. He was beginning to miss his furred denim coat, as leaning up against Sword was rather embarrassing.

"Where are we headed anyways?" Hop eventually asked, his face slightly red.

"Have some patience, will you mate?" Sword replied nonchalantly.

After a few minutes, the yellow rooves and yacht-filled docks of Hulbury came into view, much to Hop's surprise.

"Huh? What are we doing here?" He asked.

Before Sword got the chance to answer, the Air Taxi answered for him by landing in front of the fancy Captain's Table seafood restaurant.

"Whoa!" Hop exclaimed as the pair left the taxi. Sword gave the driver a considerable tip on his exit. "I've only ever been here once, as a kid! I forgot that being Champion must really let you go wherever you want, eh?"

Sword noticed that Hop's demeanor seemed to deflate a tad with that last sentence.

"Sure, but it also means I get to take my best mate with me!" Sword said in an attempt to console Hop. It did seem to prop him up a little.

As the pair walked inside, Hop realized he was rather under dressed for such an occasion. While the other diners were wearing fancy suits or frilly dresses, Hop was still in his researcher's lab coat. A small part of him worried that they may get kicked out.

"Table for two, please!" Sword said to a waitress.

"Of course, Champion!" She replied with a bow. "Right this way."

"I get wantin' to surprise me and all, mate, but you could've at least mentioned we'd be going someplace so fancy!" Hop fretted as the two were lead to their seat. Either by luck or by some pre-arrangement that Hop wasn't aware of, they got a table by the window with a perfect view of the Hulbury Stadium. "I feel like a fish outta water here in this lab coat!"

"..Have you forgotten that I'm wearing a leather jacket, Hop?" Sword asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's not a big deal, really."

"Right.." Hop sighed as the menus arrived. Some food will make him less nervous, he thought.

He opened the menu and was astonished by all the delicious options. Sauteed Goldeen, stuffed Clobbopus tentacles, steamed Shellder.. Hop was nearly salivating. A researches diet consisted of mostly instant noodles- It was rare that Hop got to go out to eat like this. And although he didn't realize it, Sword was smiling happily at his amazed expression across the table.

But Hop's hungry daydream suddenly came to a crashing halt the moment he decided to take a glance at the prices. His eyes went wide and his face went red, and he dodged eye contact with Sword as he nervously scratched the back of his head.

"Erm.. Sword..?" He started.

"Mhm?"

"Ehm.. R-Researchers money kinda goes right back into their work, s-so.. I don't have a lot-"

"Huh?" Sword asked, a look of genuine confusion written on his face. "I know that. I was gonna pay from the start."

"I kinda- W-Wait, WHAT!?" Hop exclaimed. "Sword!"

"What?"

A pang of guilt seemed to wash over Hop.

"I.." He started, anxiously tapping his forefingers together. "C-C'mon, you don't have to-!"

"..Weren't you just about to bring up how you're broke?"

"Ack!" Hop blushed. "W-Well, yeah, but-!"

"Quit your worryin', Hop!" Sword forcefully proclaimed. "Don't tell me you thought I'd win this whole thing and then not share any of it with my best mate!"

"But-!"

"Can it and order whatever you'd like, mate! C'mon, the waitress is coming!"

"What can I get for you boys?" The waitress cheerily asked before Hop can say anything else.

Sword ordered a plate of grilled Barraskewda in the most natural way possible, talking to the waitress as though he'd know her for all his life. Hop, on the other hand..

"A-Ah, uhm, c-can I get.. the uh, stuffed Clobberpus tentacles.. please.." He stammered, blushing. Sword looked as though he were about to melt from such an adorable display.

"Sure thing!" The waitress beamed. "That'll be right out."

Once she was out of earshot, Hop shot Sword a look that could cut through steel.

"You know I'm gonna have to pay you back for that eventually, right mate?"

"Aw, c'mon, you're still caught up on this?" Sword sighed, casually leaning back in his chair a bit.

"I-I don't mean the money!"

Sword fell forwards, hastily stifling a laugh. But it was no use. Hop had already caught on, and delivered a smart punch to Sword's arm for it.

"Ow!" Sword laughed. "I can't help it, Hop! You're too cute sometimes. But fine, let's talk about something else!"

"You always have liked teasing me, haven't you pal?" Hop smiled, crossing his arms.

Just then, the Waitress came out with her helping Indeedee to bring the boys their food.

"Woah! That was lightning quick!" Hop exclaimed as the Indeedee put his food in front of him. It's rewarded with a tip in headpats from Hop, for which it looked very grateful.

"Right?" Sword said as his food was set on the table.

"Thank you!" They both said in unison to the Waitress and her Indeedee before digging in.

"Mmf, this is great!" Hop mumbled through a mouthful of Clobbopus tentacle. Although his tone was genuine, Sword could still see a shred of guilt on his face.

"Say, Hop, how is your research going?" Sword asked in an attempt to get Hop's mind off feeling guilty. "Make any breakthroughs?"

Hop's face lit up with a smile at the mention of his research. Clearly it was something he thoroughly enjoyed doing, and he looked as though he couldn't be happier that his best mate was showing an interest in it.

"Nothin' huge yet," He said after swallowing another mouthful. "But the things I'm learning, mate! There's so much more to Dynamaxing than we ever thought. Sonia has me collecting a lot of data out in the field, and I've got my buddy Zamazenta with me to keep me safe!"

A happy howl came from one of the Pokeballs on Hop's waist. Another howl, this time from a Pokeball on Sword's belt, was let out in reply. Sword was slightly taken aback by the display; He had forgotten the ability of the two Legendaries to perceive and make comment on everything around them despite being inside their Pokeballs. Clearly the two had been silently eavesdropping on the two boys the whole time, and only just now decided to remind them of their presence.

"They must be happy to be near each other again." Sword chuckled, stuffing his face with a forkful of Barraskewda.

"They aren't the only ones." Hop said nonchalantly, provoking a slight blush from Sword. "How's Zacian been doing anyways?"

"Great! We've been travelling a lot, and she's really gotten the chance to grow even stronger!"

"Lrrooooaaaarrrd!" Zacian roared cheerfully from her Pokeball.

"That's awesome!" Hop paused for a second to think. "Y'know, Zamazenta has gotten a fair bit stronger too during all my research. Being the Shield Pokemon and all, he really makes the perfect bodyguard!"

"Guoooo!" Zamazenta cried from his Pokeball.

Sword leaned back in his chair a little bit, raising an eyebrow.

"..Are you implying what I think you are, Hop?"

There was a twinkle in Hop's eye, the same competitive spirit that Sword hadn't seen in him since the Gym Challenge. Sword thought at first that he might never see that spark again now that Hop was taking the scholarly route in the Pokemon world, but now he realized that would only make the spark brighter. A lot of knowledge can only be acquired through battle, and Hop seemed determined to obtain it no matter what.

"Just look outside, Mate! It's the perfect time!" Hop exclaimed.

"Huh?" Sword said. He'd been so focused on Hop the entire time that he'd never bothered to look at the view next to their seat.

What he saw made him go wide-eyed.  Outside the restaurant, the sun was just starting to set, bathing the entire town of Hulbury in a warm orange light. It reflected off the water and the Hulbury stadium in such a way that it was simply captivating.

"Well!?"

"..."

"..Ehm, Waitress? Check please!"

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The two boys stood at opposite ends of the wooden pier. They had fierce looks in their eyes, smiles on their faces, and the dazzling gleam of the setting sun behind them. In that moment, it was just Sword and Hop, isolated from everything around them by the one thought occupying both of their minds.

Battle.

"You ready, Mate?" Sword called out.

Hop broke into his distinctive pre-Battle pose, with his Pokeball clenched tight between his hands like a balled fist.

"Always, Mate!" He shouted back.

Sword nodded, and wordlessly threw his Pokeball out into the air. Zacian exploded out with a mighty roar, her sword glowing a proud and noble orange with the light of the sunset.

Hop closed his eyes and let his Pokeball fly forward. Zamazenta emerged with a vicious growl, his full-body shield radiating sunset rays of baronial authority.

Both pairs stood proudly in the light, unflinchingly staring each other down. There stood the Champion and the Professor, the Sword and the Shield. Both halves meant to make another whole.

On Sword's command, Zacian charged forward, ruthlessly lunging with her blade. Hop barked an order, and Zamazenta rushed forward with enough force to almost parry the blow, sending Zacian recoiling. Zamazenta tried to make use of the opening he had created by trying to tackle Zacian, but she was too quick, swiftly dodging out of the way.

The cycle of attacks and counterattacks, dodges and deflects, criticals and misses seemed endless. But neither pair would have it any other way. The rest of the world didn't matter anymore; At that moment, all that existed for them was the sound of the waves crashing against the pier, the glare of the mythical sunset, and the captivating sound of metal on metal, Sword against Shield. And so it continued, a dance of death that goes on until one side falters.

After what felt like an eternity of heartfelt battle, Zacian and Zamazenta stood once again at their respective ends of the pier. Both seemed worn, and were breathing heavily. Their trainers looked thrilled; This had been the most exhilarating match they'd had since their battle in the semi-finals.

Simultaneously, Sword and Hop raised their hands, readying an attack. And simultaneously they dropped them, and their noble Pokemon charged furiously towards eachother for one last time.

"Lrrrrooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrdddd!"

"Guuuooooooooooooooooooooo!"

They met with a resounding KLANG, and they found themselves each at the opposite ends of the pier, facing their enemy trainers. For a second they only gazed into the eyes of the opposing trainers, a sort of silent recognition that they had once again proven themselves worthy of them and their prowess.

And then, with one final, quieter howl, Zamazenta fell over sideways onto the wharf. It could do battle no more.

Sword kneeled down next to the defeated Pokemon, and placed a respectful hand on his snout.

"Thank you," He said. "For keeping close watch over my Hop."

Both Pokemon returned to their Pokeballs, and the two trainers met at the center of the dock to shake hands.

"There's still such a big gap between us, mate.." Hop smiled. "It's incredible!"

"You say that as though you're not leagues smarter than me by now, Mr. Professor-in-training." Sword replied.

"Awh, I guess that's true."

The pair took a seat at the edge of the pier, facing towards the sunset. Hop rummaged through his bag for healing items before using them on Zamazenta and letting him out to relax, with Sword doing the same for Zacian. The two Legendaries laid down next to their respective trainers as they catch the last minutes of the sunset before it turns to night.

Hop appeared as though he were deep in thought, with a blush starting to form on his face. Sword only noticed it after a few minutes.

"What's up, mate?" He asked, a little worried.

"W-Well.." Hop started. "Showing up out of nowhere.. Surprising me with someplace nice.. Getting the table with the view.. Paying for it all.. The barrage of compliments.."

Hop paused for a moment, as though he seemed unsure of whether he wanted to say what was on his mind.

"T-This whole thing was a date, wasn't it?"

Now it was Sword's turn to blush. His reaction was all the proof anyone would need to see that Hop was right.

"I-I-I, uhm, I-" He stammered.

"I knew it!" Hop cried, his blush deepening.

Zacian and Zamazenta both looked very amused at the current exchange. Zacian shot her brother a look that smugly screamed "I told you so," and Zamazenta reluctantly pushed over a pile of berries to his sister.

"Why didn't you just say so!?" He continued.

"I-I thought you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore if I asked!" Sword buried his face in his hands.

"Of course I'd still want to be your friend you lout!" said Hop frustratedly. "But.. If you want to be more.."

"I'd be okay with that." He finished.

Sword moved his hands so that he could peek over them at his rival.

"R-Really..?"

Hop smiled, still blushing but looking much more sure of himself now. He looked back towards the almost-set sun and nodded.

"After a day like this?" Hop's smile widened. "..Absolutely."

END.