A Love -Hate Relationship

7

Where The Wild Things Roam

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC

It was a long train ride, filled with the chattering of people passing through. Anani and Hop sat together across one another in their own booth, tapping their feet in unison as they scrolled through the latest trends and Poke'mon news. Each one filled with excited jitters as Hop went on about a place known as The Wild Area. This area was planted right smack in the middle of the Galar region and seemed to connect all of the surrounding cities and towns in some way.

"The Wild Area is MASSIVE!" he stated as he slid into her side of the booth to show her the pictures of the article he was reading on his phone, "It's brilliant for training, and all sorts of Poke'mon live there!" he said, "Plus we could go camping, and do a spot of fishing-honestly, I don't think I could ever get enough of it!"

Anani giggled at his enthusiasm when suddenly she found herself thrown into him as the train came tu a sudden shrieking stop.

"Anani! Are you all right?" he asked as he helped up.

"Yeah, I think so..." she groaned, "What was that?"

"Good question." said Hop, "There's no way we've reached Motostoke yet." he blinked, "Come on then...let's go check it out."

Anani nodded and followed Hop closely as they made their way out into the current station in baffled confusion.

"Oi, Station Master!" Hop called out as he waved for the intention of a vested gentleman who seemed to be trying to calm down a small crowd, "Isn't this the Wild Area?" he asked, "We're future Gym Challengers, and we're supposed to be heading for registration in Motostoke." he stated, "What are we stopped here, for?"

"Yes, terribly sorry." said the Station Master, "This is the Wild Area, no mistake." he blinked, "I'm sorry to have to tell you that the train is haulted, due to a flock of Wooloo on the tracks." he explained, "You can wait around for the train if you would like but there is no telling how long it will be before we can travel again." he stated, "However, if you continue through the Wild Area, you can reach Motostoke that way as well." he said, "Which you are also welcome to do."

"That works for me!" Hop grinned as he gave a thumbs up, "This is Brilliant!"

"Brilliant?" Anani blinked, "How so? We're stranded a long ways off from our destination and we only have a set amount of time to make it for Registration." she stated, "As you stated earlier, the Wild Area is massive!"

"True!" said Hop, "Which means there are loads of Poke'mon to battle here!" he explained, "Don't you get it, Anani?" he blinked as he grasped both of her shoulders and shook her playfully, "This is the best possible place to put together the greatest possible team!"

"Well...I suppose." Anani blinked, "When you put it like that it truly is brilliant." she stated, "I would just hate to get lost on our way to Registration and then miss out on our chances all together!"

"Worry not, Anani." Hop said, "Our phones now have maps built within so there's no way a silly Nikit will sap away our map again!" he beamed, "So long as we follow it and don't lose ourselves, "We'll make it to Motostoke just fine." he grinned, "Come now, mate!" he beamed, "Where's your sense of adventure~?"

"All right-very well then!" she laughed.

"Bang on!" he beamed and clasped her hand in his, "Come along then Anani, let's go!" he took off in a flash through the station doors and they ran together to the open gate that introduced the Wild Area before them. Calling it massive was an understatement.

"Would you look at that..." said Hop with a grin as he took in the sight. He pointed ahead in the distance, "See that building there?" he blinked,"That's the entrance to Motostoke across the way."

"Well I suppose it's a good thing that we can see Motostoke from here."Anani stated, "It's still far off though."

"Very true." said Hop, "And between there and here are countless new Poke'mon waiting to be met!"

"Nothing really gets you down, does it Hop." Anani chuckled.

"Not really." he beamed,"how can I be down when something so exciting waits ahead!" he smiled and gave her hand a warm squeeze, "And we're here to face it all together."

That's true...

Anani thought to herself.

With Hop so near, it's too hard to really be scared of anything.

She blinked.

And with a smile like that...it's as though "worry" doesn't concern him.

She chuckled.

I wish I could be like that...

But no matter how far she packs up the fuzzy memory, those awful words remain, along with the dark emotions they bring with it...

"Come along, then!" said Hop, nudging her as though to bring her back to reality, "We won't be getting anywhere by standing around here~!" he grinned. The sun fell slowly on the Wild Area, dying the sky a kind of pinkish purple that signified the day was ending but the night had not quite yet begun. The two dashed off in a rush where the wild creatures known as Poke'mon roamed freely in the open space. Onward, toward Motostoke.

To Be Continued