diff --git a/cogs/post_highscores/__init__.py b/cogs/post_highscores/__init__.py
index d56cf31..98b6fce 100644
--- a/cogs/post_highscores/__init__.py
+++ b/cogs/post_highscores/__init__.py
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ class PostHighscores(commands.Cog, name="Post Highscores"):
     @commands.command(name="post-scores")
     async def post_highscores(self, ctx: commands.Context):
         """
-        A command which posts the highscore in the designated channel. Sends warning if no channel has been registered.
+        A command which posts the highscore in the designated channel. Sends warning if no channel
+        has been registered.
         Usage:
         ```
         ?post-scores
@@ -28,11 +29,13 @@ class PostHighscores(commands.Cog, name="Post Highscores"):
         print(f"Printing out highscores information in channel {channel_id}")
         channel = self.bot.get_channel(channel_id)
         if channel is None:
-            response = 'Registered Highscores channel does not exist or was never registered. Register with "?register" command.'
+            response = 'Registered Highscores channel does not exist or was never registered. \
+                Register with "?register" command.'
             await ctx.send(response)
             return
         for boss in highscores.highscores_config["bosses"]:
             await highscore_message.send_highscore_message(channel, boss)
+            break
 
         data_storage.save_highscores_data(highscores.highscores_data)
 
diff --git a/utils/data_storage.py b/utils/data_storage.py
index 97bce71..457839e 100644
--- a/utils/data_storage.py
+++ b/utils/data_storage.py
@@ -21,20 +21,13 @@ def open_highscores_data():
         # create the json object
         data = {"channel_id": -1}
         config = open_highscores_config()
-        size = config["highscore_size"]
         for boss in config["bosses"]:
-            data[boss["boss"]] = {"message_id": -1}
+            data[boss["boss"]] = {"message_id": 0}
             for category in config["categories"]:
                 rank_list = []
-                for i in range(size):  # pylint: disable=unused-variable
-                    rank = {"player": "", "score": -1}
-                    rank_list.append(rank)
                 data[boss["boss"]][category["category"]] = rank_list
                 if boss["hardmode"] and category["hardmode"]:
                     rank_list = []
-                    for i in range(size):  # pylint: disable=unused-variable
-                        rank = {"player": "", "score": -1}
-                        rank_list.append(rank)
                     data[boss["boss"]][category["category"] + "_hardmode"] = rank_list
     return data
 
diff --git a/utils/highscore_message.py b/utils/highscore_message.py
index 0e9135e..0df5d8d 100644
--- a/utils/highscore_message.py
+++ b/utils/highscore_message.py
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@ import highscores  # pylint: disable=import-error
 
 def format_highscore_message(boss):
     """
-    returns a formattedd string for a boss's highscore
+    returns a formatted string for a boss's highscore
     @param boss: the dictionary object for the boss
     @return the formatted string
     """
     boss_name = boss["boss"]
     ret_string = f"**{boss_name}**\n"
+    boss_data = highscores.highscores_data[boss_name]
 
     # Gather all categories and add to string
     for category in highscores.highscores_config["categories"]:
@@ -26,7 +27,16 @@ def format_highscore_message(boss):
     # list rankings
     for i in range(highscore_size):
         for category in highscores.highscores_config["categories"]:
-            ret_string += f"{i+1}: submit your score".ljust(30, " ")
+            boss_category_scores = boss_data[category["category"]]
+            if len(boss_category_scores) > i:
+                score = boss_category_scores[i]
+                # this is the dumbest solution to a problem iv seen in a while...
+                # I just needed the key and this is the best way to get it without
+                # getting a list of 1 key and parsing that string.
+                for key, value in score.items():
+                    ret_string += f"{i+1}: {key} - {value}".ljust(30, " ")
+            else:
+                ret_string += f"{i+1}: submit your score".ljust(30, " ")
         ret_string += "\n"
 
     # if boss is hardmode, repeat above for hardmode applicable categories
@@ -34,14 +44,21 @@ def format_highscore_message(boss):
         for category in highscores.highscores_config["categories"]:
             if category["hardmode"]:
                 category_name = category["category"]
-                ret_string += f"{category_name}".ljust(30, " ")
+                ret_string += f"Hardmode {category_name}".ljust(30, " ")
 
         ret_string += "\n"
 
         for i in range(highscore_size):
             for category in highscores.highscores_config["categories"]:
                 if category["hardmode"]:
-                    ret_string += f"{i+1}: (name here)".ljust(30, " ")
+                    hardmode_category = category["category"]
+                    boss_category_scores = boss_data[f"{hardmode_category}_hardmode"]
+                    if len(boss_category_scores) > i:
+                        score = boss_category_scores[i]
+                        for key, value in score.items():
+                            ret_string += f"{i+1}: {key} - {value}".ljust(30, " ")
+                    else:
+                        ret_string += f"{i+1}: submit your score".ljust(30, " ")
             ret_string += "\n"
     return ret_string