That's My Girl

8

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC It is based on the GAMES not the anime/manga. And to clarify confusion (because I know I have written multiple fic based on these games XD ) This is a completely different and separate story from the other Sword/Shield fics I have written. They are not connected and they do not interract.

"Here's some Potions for you so you can make sure to take good care of that grookey leon gave you...oh and have some pocket money in case you need to buy some extra..." Nouii's mother went on and on, piling things into the girl's bag.

"Mom...I'm just going to Wedgehurst..." she stated. Wedgehurst really wasn't a very far trip from Postwick. It was a pretty straight path ahead, and yet Kalia stuffed her child's bag as though she were going away for an eternity.

"Even if that's the case- There will be plenty of Poke'mon between here and Wedgehurst so...I better give you some Poke'balls too.

Nouii's golden yellow eyes lit up.

"Really!?" she beamed.

"Frankly after what you did and deliberately disobeyed Lee when he told you to stay out of that place...I don't really think you deserve them..." Kalia muttered softly with her arms folded while her daughter inched back a few steps...blush on her cheeks, hands folded behind her back and a soft scuffing of her stocking to the floor. She really caused her mother a scare once Leon had told her all about Nouii's little adventure into the woods...

Kalia let out a sigh.

"However..." she blinked, "It was also for that very reason that Lee insist I give you some of your own." she stated.

Nouii blinked.

"Wait...Lee, did?"

Why is he...so nice to me?

Kalia smiled.

"You make sure to thank him properly when you meet with him...understood?" said kalia, zipping away the girl's Poke'balls, "Now go, they're waiting."

With a broad grin and a flip of her lavender colored hair, Nouii was off.

Her mother didn't joke about the amount of Poke'mon that awaited...just between Postwick and Wedgehurst alone, she had already run out of Poke'balls. Nouii was not new to Poke'mon. They had always been a huge part of her life...especially since she originated from Alola where Poke'mon and people live and work alongside each other in harmony to the point you could almost walk up to any random wild on the street and play a game with them. So she already knew about catching them, and how the box system worked... Having a Poke'dex however was going to be a new one for her.

"So you know a lot about Poke'mon do you?" asked Sonia, the lab assistant who was responisble for granting the Poke'dex to Nouii and Hop...However the boy already had his, thanks to Nouii's mother keeping her back a bit longer than anticipated, she wound up getting there a bit late, and found Leon waiting for her, ready to introduce her to the lovely ginger haired lass, "I'm surprised you caught so many already!"

"You bet I do!" Nouii beamed, "Poke'mon and me have always been life long friends~" she giggled as her Grookey scurried arounfd on her shoulders and upon her head, screeching happily. Sure it had a Poke'ball, but Drum Stixx rather enjoyed the free ride since it was small enough to do so.

"Haha what a good answer!" laughed Sonia, "Very well said!" she grinned, "So by that logic, then being able to use this Poke'dex will come as an easy task!"

Nouii was floored when her Rotom Phone now had the capability to work as an automated Poke'mon encyclopedia.

"This Poke'dex is a gift from my gran so be sure to let her know you received it all right?" smiled Sonia, "Also, Leon's little brother wanted me to tell you to meet him at the Poke'mon Center when you were done here."

"O-Oh uh..." Nouii blinked, "Okay...thank you again~!"

XXXXX

"You sure took your sweet time in getting here, didn't you, mate?" Hop snickered. He was waiting for her in the cafe area of the Poke'mon center, holding two cups of brew, one of which he handed off to Nouii.

"Tell me about it, I thought my mom would never let me leave..." Nouii sighed, blowing soft puffs against the rising steam. Galar's climate alone was a bit on the cooler side...a temperate Nouii's tropical blood simply wasn't used to just yet. It differed greatly compared to Alola.

"Your mum sure went spare, didn't she?"

"Isn't that the understatement of the century..."

"You know, it's so odd not having Lee sleeping at the house anymore now that he lives up the way with you and your mum." stated Hop," You two live in the same place...he's pants with directions, and yet he STILL managed to get here before you did!" he laughed playfully while her cheeks rosed up and she popped small punches against his shoulder, making him laugh even harder. Hop couldn't help but have a laugh at this one. In their time spent together, the two definitely seem to have bonded. Enough to get into some rather deeper conversation of their own personal struggles.

"I can't believe my own brother doesn't think I could handle the Gym Challenge!" Hop huffed.

"The Gym Challenge?" Nouii blinked, "What's that?"

"The Gym Challenge, mate!" Hop exclaimed, " It's the annual competition here in Galar where Trainers battle it out for the right to challenge the Champion!"

"Wow, really!?" Nouii gasped and Hop gave a firm nod.

"However in order to participate, you've got to be endorsed, and Lee doesn't seem to think I'm up to snuff..."

"So it's kind of like The Island Trials, then?" she wondered.

"I'm sorry- Island trials?" Hop blinked in confusion.

Nouii nodded.

"See back home in Alola we have a Coming-Of-Age type deal where once you reach a certain age, you get to travel around Alola's island regions and battle it out to take down the Kahuna of each one!" she explained.

"Hmmm..." Hop seemed at a losst as she was explaining, "If...these Kahuna are anything like our Gym Leaders then sure." stated Hop, "That's a lot like the Gym Challenge, actually!" he grinned.

"Tubular!" beamed Nouii.

"Pffft, what!?"

The two blinked at each other before sharing a fest of giggles and laughter at the mere difference in the way they were brought up. Respectfully of course!

"Anyway...I was FINALLY old enough to participate in the Island Trials, this year!" Nouii stated, "But then my mom decided to up and leave off to a whole other region to live with a man who I am only just meeting for the first time-" she stopped herself before turning to Hop to properly explain herself, "N-Not that there's anything wrong with Galar! A-And Lee has been nothing but nice!" she stated before heaving a sigh, "It was just...kind of sudden for me...and as an Alolan Native...it's kind of like being denied your Coming-Of-Age type deal...you know?"

Hop's eyes narrowed sadly as he listened and nodded along.

"...Sounds to me like you kind of need this Gym Challenge too, mate." he sighed, "...So maybe you can help me talk to the Professor to help convince him otherwise...and you could participate too!" he stated, "Who knows!? If we do it together, then maybe Lee will ease up and cave!" he grinned, "Besides- a proper rival is the most important part of growth as a trainer in staying motivated!" he gave a firm nod and shot himself up right, "That's the plan then!" he stated.

Nouii could barely follow along with this kid...but she quite liked his enthusiasm and granted him a giggle and a smile with a nod.

"Sounds radical...let's do it!"

"Radical?" Hop blinked and snorted softly, "Oh by the way...Lee said he wanted us to meet him out on Route 2...I almost forgot!" he said, "We better hurry along then...let's go!" he grinned, grasping her hand and leading the way.

To Be Continued