Author's Note

We continue Nui's Pokemon Journey!

Nui exits the Pokemon Center and runs to Hop. "Listen, Nui. I've been thinking... If you're a Pokemon Trainer now, you must want to try your hand at the Gym Challenge, right?" Hop asked.

"The Gym Challenge? What's that?" Nui asked back.

"The Gym Challenge, mate! The annual competition where Trainers can battle it out for the right to challenge the Champion! But the trick is that you've got to be endorsed if you want to take part. And Lee doesn't seem to think I'm up to snuff... So I'm thinking I ought to talk to the professor and see if she could help! You've got to take part too! A proper rival is just the thing every Trainer needs to keep growing stronger, after all. Keeps you motivated, right? The professor's house is way down at the end of Route 2, so let's head there... and give our teams the chance to train up a bit along the way!" Hop answered before he leaves.

Nui makes it to Route 2. "Over here, Nui!" Hop called over. "All right, Nui? It's time we filled in our teams a bit-"

"And I'm here to teach you how!" Leon declared as he appeared, surprising the duo. "You'll need to catch Pokemon if you've got any hope of filling in that Pokedex."

"Lee!? Where'd you come from!?" Nui gasped.

"Only... look at you, little Nui! You've already caught some of your own!" Leon noticed. "Your mum gave you those Poke Balls, did she?"

"Y-Yeah..." Nui rubbed her arm.

"I'll give you some more Poke Balls. In return, I'll only ask that you catch plenty of Pokemon!" Leon told. "The Pokemon around here seem easy to catch. Almost like they're itching to join some Trainer's team, wouldn't you say?" Leon brought up, giving Nui 20 Poke Balls. "The Pokemon on your team will get experience when you catch Pokemon too. And of course, they get experience from battle, so take on the other Trainers you meet along the path to help your Pokemon thrive. Your team will keep on changing and growing as you get stronger together, no doubt. But even I don't know exactly how yet! Show your champion something good, all right?" Leon asked of Nui as he leaves.

"All right! I'm gonna catch loads of Pokemon. The professor will be shocked when she sees!" Hop boasted as he leaves as well.

"Those two..." Nui shook her head with a smile.

On her way, she catches a wild Yamper. "Yamper, the Puppy Pokemon. This gluttonous Pokemon only assists people with their work because it wants treats. As it runs, it crackles with electricity." The Pokedex said. Nui then catches a wild Chewtle, a blue water turtle, further down the road. "Chewtle, the Snapping Pokemon. It starts off battles by attacking with its rock-hard horn, but as soon as the opponent flinches, this Pokemon bites down and never lets go."

Further along the way, Nui battles a Pokemon Trainer after their eyes meet. After defeating that Trainer, Nui finds two more Potions and another Trainer whose eyes meet with Nui's. Nui defeats the Trainer's Chewtle. She then meets eyes with a third Trainer, defeating that Trainer afterwards as well. Once she does, she finds Hop, Leon, and the professor she's looking for. "Look! There's the professor!" Hop told.

"So have you unraveled all the secrets of the Dynamax phenomenon yet?" Leon asked the professor.

"Oh goodness, no. The whole thing is still full of questions. I'd hoped that my granddaughter would take over my research, but..." The professor trailed off before seeing Hop and Nui. "Dear me, I'm sorry. I didn't even notice my guests! My name is Magnolia. Welcome, young Trainers! Now come, let's head indoors."

The trio do so. "Why, Hop dear. I see Wooloo has made some new friends. And you must be Nui." Magnolia noticed. "I trust you received the Pokedex from Sonia. I'm sure you'll have it complete in no time!"

"You must already know about Dynamaxing, right, Nui?" Leon brought up. "Professor Magnolia's been doing research into the Dynamax phenomenon for years and years. And it takes a proper understanding of the thing if you plan to use Dynamaxing to the fullest!"

"There you go again, Leon, always talking about Pokemon..." Magnolia sighed. "There are other things that are worth know about, too, you know. Like how many different types of tea there are!"

"Hey, Professor, do us a favor, would you? Help me convince Lee he should endorse us for the Gym Challenge!" Hop asked of.

"Oh Leon, why wouldn't you endorse them?" Magnolia raised the question to Leon.

"Hop and Nui only just started out as Pokemon Trainers... There's still loads they don't know yet!" Leon answered.

"Dearie, I thought your dream was to have everyone in the Galar region become strong Trainers. Isn't that right?"

"Well, yeah... you're not wrong. That goal's precisely the reason I gave them both Pokemon, in fact. Right, then. In that case... how about this? Let's see if the two of you can show me such a brilliant battle that I'm left with no choice but to endorse you. And don't worry. I'll make sure both your teams are in good shape before the battle starts." Leon stated, healing both Pokemon teams.

"Right! I'll be waiting outside, Nui!" Hop declared before leaving. The two have that battle, Nui's Pokemon defeating Hop's Pokemon again. "Oof! Gutted that I lost... But I'd expect nothing less from my rival! And I even got my Poke Ball throw perfect too! The sting of defeat and the joy of victory... I guess going through both is the key to the two of us getting stronger, right?"

Nui giggles and nods before Leon approaches. "Nui! Hop! Well, after seeing a match like that one... I suppose I've little choice but to give you both an endorsement as Champion!" Leon told before giving Nui and Hop letters of Endorsements.

"Yes! Thanks, Lee! I swear I'm going to win my way through the Gym Challenge to reach you!" Hop exclaimed excitedly.

"You may both be young still, and plenty rough around the edges, but it was a proper battle. Charizard and I were both feeling the excitement in every last cell in our bodies! Hop, you've always tended to get caught up in things like how you throw your Poke Ball out... Things that have nothing to do with real strength. Honestly, I'd been worried about you still obsessing over that sort of nonsense, but it seems you really have grown a bit, little brother!" Leon complimented. "And I'd like to see some more thrilling Pokemon Battles out of you too, Nui."

"All right, Nui! You and me are going to train up against one another to aim for that Champion's title!" Hop boasted.

"Absolutely~!" Nui cheered.

"The more we keep battling against one another, the more our Pokemon will grow. Huh? What's that!?" Hop suddenly noticed. Two red shooting stars appeared and landed right next to the battle ground where they had their Pokemon battle. Hop goes and picks them up, Nui following him. "Nui! Would you look at this? They're Wishing Stars! Since there are two of them, you should take one yourself!" Hop told, giving one of them to Nui. "With one of these, my Pokemon can Dynamax! They're gonna be massive! YES!"

"Trust you to pull something like this! They say Wishing Stars fall down for those who have a true wish in their heart, you know." Leon said.

"I will be the greatest Trainer ever! I WILL be the greatest Trainer ever! I WILL BE THE GREATEST TRAINER EVER!" Hop repeatedly shouted, Nui covering her ears. "There! I've said it three times, so surely my wish will come true now, right?"

"Don't be silly, Hop. Those Wishing Stars are composed of a curious sort of rock containing unknown power... They are one of the most precious resources we have here in the Galar region. But they won't do a thing for you in that state. Give them to me now, and I'll have you sorted." Magnolia asked of.

"Ah, right. You've done heaps of research on the Dynamax phenomenon, haven't you, Professor? They please! Give Nui and me the power to Dynamax our Pokemon!" Hop pleaded. "First we got to battle against that mad Pokemon in the Slumbering Weald, and now this... It really feels like we're getting caught up in the adventure of a lifetime!"

"I do understand your excitement, young man, but don't get carried away. You want to save your energy for tomorrow's journey!" Magnolia warned.

"Seems I came back home right in time for all the excitement!"

The four look and see Sonia. "Hey, you lot, why not have some dinner. You must be hungry, right? I've been totally obsessed with making the latest trendy curries." She pointed out. The five of them went to the house and stayed for the night.

"It's morning at last! And time for our adventure to truly start!" Hop exclaimed excitedly.

"Good morning to you, young Challengers." Magnolia greeted.

"Hop, is it true you really met some Pokemon you didn't recognize? Is there anything more you can tell me about it?" Sonia asked.

"Er, well, there was this weird heavy fog, and then this even weirder Pokemon appeared... Nui tried to fight it off! But then I think we both passed out or something." Hop answered as best he could. "It's all pretty hazy."

"A right fount of information you are..." Sonia hummed.

"Nui, Hop, these are for you." Magnolia told, giving the two white wristbands. "Those are your Dynamax Bands. I made them by fitting the Wishing Stars you found last night into those bands."

"Thanks, Professor! This is brilliant!" Hop thanked. "It's just like the one Lee has on him, too. Now we can Dynamax our Pokemon like he does!"

"My word, you don't waste any time, do you? I think you'll find it's not so simple as all that. There are a number of conditions you must meet if you hope to have your Pokemon Dynamax and take on that gigantic form. Now, don't be afraid to go to all sorts of places and meet all sorts of Pokemon. That will help fill out your Pokedex too." Magnolia advised.

"The legend of my reign is finally about to begin! Come on, Nui! I'll beat you to the station!" Hop boasted before leaving.

END OF EPISODE

Author's Additional Note

Here's something you guys should know: I'm going to be absent for a while cause I'll want to skip most of the story until a certain point comes up. Don't worry, though. You'll know what Pokemon Nui will have in the end.