James pov

  After the awards ceremony, Alex and I made our way to the Pokémon Center to heal up our teams. The Center was quiet, with only a few trainers still hanging around, and the soft hum of the healing machines filled the air as we handed our Poké Balls over to the nurse. She promised they’d be ready soon, so we took a seat and waited.

  Alex sat back, his hands behind his head, looking totally at ease. His blue eyes were sharp but relaxed, and I realized he seemed pretty different outside of the arena—a lot less intense. It felt like a good time to get to know him a bit more.

  “So, do you know what kind of trainer you want to be?” I asked, breaking the silence.

  Without missing a beat, he grinned. “Yeah, definitely. I’m aiming to be a Grass-type specialist.” There was a spark in his eyes as he spoke. “There’s just something about Grass-types—they’re versatile, you know? They can be both defensive and offensive. And there’s a lot more depth to them than people give them credit for.”

  “That’s cool,” I replied, genuinely interested. “Do you have any specific ones in mind for your team?”

  “Well, I already have Lotad and, now, Grovyle,” he said with a proud smile. “But I’ve got my eye on a Shroomish. Breloom’s supposed to be an incredible fighter if trained right. And then maybe a Tropius down the line—a Grass and Flying type would be amazing. Rare, but it’d be worth the hunt.”

  I could easily picture Alex with a full team of tough Grass-types. “So, are you planning to give them nicknames?”

  He shrugged, considering. “I haven’t really decided. I think I’ll let them decide, actually. If they want a name, I’ll come up with one, but I won’t force it on them. They’re strong as they are.” He looked thoughtful, then smirked a bit. “What about you? Are you planning to name yours?”

  “Yeah, actually. I’ve already named my Torchic ‘Scorch’ and my Trapinch ‘Dune,’” I replied with a small grin. “But I think I’ll name them as I get to know them better. I like the idea of their names fitting who they are, you know?”

  He nodded, looking genuinely interested. “Yeah, I get that. ‘Scorch’ and ‘Dune’ suit them. You really thought it through.”

  There was a pause, and I decided to ask, “What about your family? Are they okay with you traveling to train?”

  “Yeah, they’re pretty supportive,” he replied, stretching. “My parents have always been more of the ‘figure it out yourself’ type. They trust me to handle things, I guess.” He shrugged, then smiled a bit. “Still, a partner on the road will make things a lot more interesting. Keeps it from getting… well, boring.”

  “My family’s kind of the opposite,” I said, chuckling. “They’re super supportive too, but they tend to worry a lot. My parents own a business back in Petalburg City, and they’re the kind to make sure I have enough of everything. I had to reassure them, like, a hundred times that I’d be fine.”

  He laughed at that. “Sounds like you’ll be set for supplies.”

  Just then, the nurse called our names, and we got up to retrieve our Pokémon. I could feel an excited energy building between us as we thanked the nurse and took our Poké Balls back. We headed out of the Pokémon Center, ready to take on the journey ahead.

  Dunes pov

  You know, getting knocked out really, really hurts. Like, I’ve been hurt in battles before—bruises, scratches, the usual stuff. But that level of pain? Never before. In training back at school, knockouts weren’t the norm. Most battles were tap-outs. Sure, KOs happened every now and then, but they were rare. And, not to brag or anything, but my little Trapinch self is pretty tough! I mean, with all my egg moves and that sweet Sheer Force ability on my already crazy high attack stat? Busted. It’s fair to say I can usually hold my ground. But today? I got absolutely throttled out there.

  Luckily, though, like most things in the Pokémon world, injuries aren’t exactly permanent. A quick heal in the magical healing machines, a check-up from Nurse Joy and her Chansey, and I was good as new! Now I’m back in my Poké Ball, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around how this works. I mean, I know we Pokémon get converted into energy, but, seriously, how? I’ve just decided to call it “Pokémon magic” and leave it at that. The weirdest part is that, while I’m in here, I get to customize the environment! I can make it look like anything I want—a lush forest, a sandy desert, you name it. It’s pretty fun to mess around with, actually.

  Anyway, I was deep in thought about all this when, suddenly, I felt the familiar tug of being pulled out of my Poké Ball. Ugh! Going from energy back to solid form is weird. The flash of light faded, and there I was, blinking in the bright outside world. After a few seconds, I spotted Alex standing right next to us with his Lotad and… wait a minute—Grovyle?! I had to do a double-take. Last I saw him, he had a Treecko. Holy crap, he evolved from that battle!

  Lotad was standing there with that dopey expression he always has, looking totally lost. I couldn’t help but crack up a little in my head. And then there was Grovyle, who was, as expected, trying way too hard to look cool. Typical for his kind, really—acting all calm and collected. But being a Trapinch, my nose doesn’t lie. I could tell just from his scent that he was all show; on the inside, he was just as shaky as Lotad!

  As I got my bearings after the flash of light, I could tell from their scents that both Lotad and Grovyle were definitely male. Just then, James knelt beside me and Scorch. Scorch, always the excitable one, was practically bouncing off his feathers, darting around James’s feet.

  “James! James! James! Did we win? Did we?” he chirped in his fast-paced way, though it probably sounded like rapid-fire squawks to James. Amused, James reached down, patting Scorch’s head, calming him down a bit before saying, “Guys, we lost,” he admitted, sounding a bit disappointed. Scorch stopped, visibly crestfallen, wings drooping.

  “But that’s okay!” James quickly added, his tone lifting. “We got second place, which is really good! It was a close fight. And guess what? We’re also going to be traveling with Alex and his team! Isn’t that exciting?” His enthusiasm made me smile a little, and I let out an affirmative, though to him, it probably sounded like a simple chirp. Scorch, however, exploded into renewed excitement, racing circles around James again, practically vibrating with joy. James couldn’t help but laugh at his antics, while I glanced over at Alex, who was also talking with his team, probably giving them a rundown on the plan.

  James’s laughter finally faded, but he still wore a proud smile as he turned to us. “Alright, guys, that’s the plan. Now, let’s check if either of you leveled up from that battle.” He pulled out his Pokédex, flipping it open and scanning Scorch first.

  The Pokédex’s calm, mechanical voice began, “Torchic, the Chick Pokémon. A Fire type. This Torchic is level 15 and is male.” It went on, listing Scorch’s move set, finally adding, “Sand Attack.” James’s eyes lit up with pride as he looked at Scorch. “Scorch, you leveled up twice! You’re level 15 now, and you even learned Sand Attack!”

  Scorch’s eyes widened with excitement. “Wait, I leveled up twice? And I learned Sand Attack? Yay me! I’m level 15 now!” He pranced around like a puppy, thrilled with his own progress. James chuckled at his antics, then turned his gaze to me.

  He pointed the Pokédex at me, and it spoke up again. “Trapinch, the Ant Pit Pokémon. A Ground type. This Trapinch is level 17 and knows the following moves…” As the Pokédex listed my moves, James looked at me with a soft, proud smile. “Dune, you leveled up too.” His voice was calm but warm, and I could feel his pride radiating.

  With that, he slipped his Pokédex back into his pocket and looked over at Alex, who was just pulling out his own Pokédex, ready to check his own team.

  Alex held up his Pokédex to his Grovyle, watching with a proud grin as the device’s calm, robotic voice started up. “Grovyle, the Wood Gecko Pokémon. A Grass type. This Grovyle is level 16 and is male, with the following moves…” It listed Grovyle’s moves, ending with a light chime. Grovyle leaned back with a casual smirk, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. “Heh, I really am awesome,” he muttered to himself, clearly basking in his own glory. The attitude was as cocky as his entire species was known for, and he wore it like a badge of honor.

  Alex then moved on to his Lotad, scanning the little water-weed Pokémon. “Lotad, the Water Weed Pokémon. This Lotad is level 13 and male, and knows the following moves…” As the Pokédex listed Lotad’s move set, he blinked slowly, processing the information before speaking in a soft, slightly drowsy tone. “Oh, that’s cool… I think that’s the same as last time, though,” he murmured, sounding a bit confused, his dopey grin reflecting the easy-going personality Lotads are known for.

  Meanwhile, Scorch was bouncing from foot to foot beside James, clearly unable to hold in his energy. I shifted my gaze to Alex’s team, Grovyle standing confidently while Lotad looked around with a blissful, somewhat absentminded expression. Grovyle met my gaze, sizing me up for a second before giving a slight nod. He may have been a little smug, but he at least seemed to acknowledge a fellow competitor.

  Scorch, however, couldn’t contain himself any longer. “Hi! Hi, Lotad and Grovyle!” he called out, darting right up to them with boundless enthusiasm. “I’m Scorch! Did you guys see our match? I was so fast, right?”

  Lotad blinked, taking a moment before smiling and nodding in his laid-back way. “Oh, yeah… I saw. You were like… zoom, zoom, zoom,” he said, gesturing with a slow wave that didn’t quite match his words. Grovyle rolled his eyes but smirked, looking slightly amused.

  “Not bad, kid,” Grovyle said, giving a slight nod. “Got some spark, I’ll give you that. Keep training, and maybe one day you’ll catch up to my level.”

  I raised my head proudly, meeting Grovyle’s sharp gaze. “Well, don’t think we’ll just be trailing behind. Second place was just the start.” Grovyle chuckled, a glint in his eye as he leaned in closer.

  “Guess we’ll see about that, won’t we?” he replied, his voice filled with a competitive edge.

  Scorch tilted his head, looking between Grovyle and me, then gave a delighted chirp. “This is great! I’ve got a rival now! And Lotad, we can be friends too, right?”

  Lotad gave a slow, thoughtful nod. “Yeah… friends. I like that idea…” he said, his tone relaxed and calm, his drowsy grin widening a bit.

  As I watched them all talk, I felt a strange sense of excitement brewing. We weren’t just competitors anymore. We were rivals, sure, but there was something more to it. This journey was going to be challenging, but with friends—and maybe even rivals—like these, I knew it would be worth every battle ahead.

  As Scorch continued to bounce with excitement, I noticed something in the way he and Grovyle exchanged glances. There was a familiarity, a sort of unspoken connection between them. Before I could say anything, Scorch darted up to Grovyle again, wings flaring with pride.

  “Grovyle! It’s been forever! I didn’t know we’d end up facing each other today! Remember back at Professor Birch’s lab?” Scorch chirped, practically vibrating with excitement. Just now noticing a pokemon he's most likely grew up with most his life probably too excited to realize it.

  Grovyle smirked, crossing his arms with that typical cool-headed attitude, though his eyes softened a bit. “Yeah, I remember. You’ve grown… maybe just a little,” he teased, earning an indignant huff from Scorch.

  I cocked my head, raising a brow well more like eye ridge well maybe not even whatever Trapinch have for eyebrows as I looked between the two. “Wait a second,” I said, giving a smirk of my own. “Aren’t you two, like… the same age? Royal starters and all?”

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  Scorch puffed out his chest, a playful glint in his eyes as he grinned at Grovyle. “Same age, yeah, but I’ve got the firepower to go with it!” he chirped proudly, glancing at me as if expecting my support.

  Grovyle rolled his eyes but chuckled, clearly entertained. “Sure, keep telling yourself that, Scorch. Last I checked, I was the one who evolved,” he replied with a smug grin, tapping the sharp leaves on his forearms for emphasis. The way he stood, exuding that quiet strength, made it clear he was more than ready to challenge Scorch’s bold claims.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at the two of them. Despite the differences in their personalities—Scorch’s boundless energy clashing with Grovyle’s calm confidence—they seemed to respect each other, a bond built on shared history. Scorch wasn’t fazed in the slightest by Grovyle’s evolution; if anything, it just seemed to make him more eager to train and grow himself.

  Lotad, looking on in his usual calm, almost dazed way, blinked slowly at the exchange, then nodded with a lazy smile. “Yeah… same age… same team… family, sort of,” he murmured, as if realizing it for the first time.

  I looked at them, all three together: Grovyle, the cool-headed one, always with a hint of pride; Scorch, blazing with enthusiasm and determination; and Lotad, with his easygoing, relaxed nature. It was strange to think that, in a way, they’d all come from the same place. Now, they were part of different teams, rivals maybe, but also something more—friends.

  “Alright,” I said, breaking into the moment, “Let’s just say we all have a lot to prove on this journey, but at least it won’t be boring.”

  Grovyle gave a nod, his smirk still in place. “Couldn’t agree more,” he replied, eyes gleaming with that fierce determination. Scorch chirped with excitement, while Lotad just smiled, watching us all with a serene look.

  And just like that, I could feel a new beginning taking shape. This journey would test us, but with rivals and friends to face along the way, it was bound to be one we’d never forget.

  James pov

  Standing there with our teams introduced and old bonds rekindled, I felt a wave of excitement and pride swelling inside me. Grovyle and Scorch, despite their obvious differences, had this unspoken camaraderie from their days back at Professor Birch’s lab. Watching them banter like that—Grovyle cool and collected, Scorch buzzing with energy—gave me a glimpse of how this journey might shape us all.

  Alex stepped closer, a proud grin on his face as he glanced over his Pokémon. He turned to me with that same spark in his eyes that had been there since the first battle. “Seems like our teams are hitting it off,” he remarked, giving Grovyle a pat on the shoulder. “And it looks like we’re both set with some real personalities.”

  “Yeah,” I replied, nodding as I looked down at Dune and Scorch. Scorch had finally calmed down, though he still occasionally glanced at Grovyle with a competitive glint in his eye. Dune was watching everything, silent but curious, taking in the group dynamics. I could tell he was already sizing up his new traveling companions. “They’re definitely something. But I think they’ll keep us on our toes in the best way.”

  Alex chuckled. “Definitely. I mean, just look at Lotad—already blending right in, in his own special way.”

  Lotad was indeed fitting into the dynamic effortlessly, his laid-back attitude providing a funny counterpoint to Grovyle’s composed coolness and Scorch’s fiery energy. He let out a little sigh, content just to be along for the ride.

  Alex and I watched them for a moment, the hum of the Pokémon Center around us, Nurse Joy bustling back and forth as trainers came and went. It struck me then just how much this journey meant—two rookies with high hopes and a lot to prove, with partners who, for better or worse, were as driven as we were. And in some strange way, I already felt a sort of trust in Alex, even though we’d just started. Maybe it was his confidence, or maybe it was the fact that he’d chosen me as a partner. But whatever it was, I knew this was the beginning of something unforgettable.

  I looked over at Alex, who was watching our Pokémon, a slight smile on his face. “Ready to hit the road?”

  He turned to me, eyes bright with excitement. “Born ready.”

  And with that, we were finally ready to go. Well, almost.

  Before we could really get on the road, Alex and I made a stop at the town’s Poké Mart to stock up. We’d each just won some prize money, plus I had a little saved from what my parents had given me for this journey. I browsed the shelves, quickly spotting the potions. “Three potions should do the trick for now,” I muttered, taking them down and noting the price—600 Poké. It stung a bit to spend so much, but I knew this was only the beginning of what would probably be a series of big expenses.

  Alex wandered over, holding a couple of potions himself. “Expensive, right?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s crazy to think about, but this is why so many trainers drop out by the fourth gym. The cost of potions, revives, healing items—it adds up. This really isn’t a cheap dream.”

  I nodded, glancing at my total balance on my Pokégear. With the 3,000 Poké my parents gave me plus the 500 from today’s prize, I had 3,500 Poké. But now, after buying the potions, I’d be down to 2,900 Poké. “Yeah,” I said. “It’s kind of a reality check. But we’ll just have to make it work.”

  We moved over to the food section. Pokémon food was relatively cheap at 200 Poké for a decent supply. Alex and I discussed what to get, ultimately deciding on a mix of flavors to keep all of our Pokémon happy—especially Lotad, who had seemed particularly picky earlier.

  “What about for us?” Alex asked as we looked at the human food options, grabbing a few packs of dried berries and trail mix.

  “Something with protein,” I suggested, picking up a pack of dried meat and some energy bars. “We don’t want to run out of energy on the road. And maybe something for quick meals in case we can’t cook.”

  Alex nodded. “Right, no telling when we’ll be able to rest at a center.”

  We decided to split the cost of the food, coming to a total of 400 Poké—200 each. With everything bought and packed away, we finally headed out with our bags a little heavier but our excitement undimmed.

  “Alright, Route 102 awaits,” Alex said with a grin. We exchanged one last look, both feeling that mix of nerves and excitement.

  Dunes Pov

  As we made our way through Route 102, I perched on James’s shoulder, feeling every small movement of his steps beneath me. Scorch walked beside him, bouncing a bit with his usual energy, chirping every now and then as he looked around at the tall grass, curious about everything. Meanwhile, Alex had both of his Pokémon in their Poké Balls. He thought they preferred it that way—better to rest up while we traveled—but I couldn’t help but chuckle a little to myself. If he really knew, he’d realize that Grovyle and Lotad probably just found it more comfortable to snooze inside than to walk all this way. One of the perks of being a Pokémon is knowing what other Pokémon think; trainers don’t always get it right.

  As we walked, James and Alex struck up a conversation, their voices drifting up to me. Curious, I tuned in as they started chatting about their favorite Gym Leaders in the Hoenn region. It was fun to hear their opinions; I wasn’t used to seeing Gym Leaders as anything beyond game characters. Back in my old world, Gym Leaders were just milestones—a boss battle to overcome before moving to the next level. Koga was my favorite, mostly because he had a cool, mysterious vibe, but my appreciation didn’t go much deeper than that.

  However, living here for a few years has completely changed my perspective. Gym Leaders in this world are far more than just stepping stones or flashy figures. They’re the strongest trainers in each region, each one of them respected for their skills, wisdom, and commitment to their communities. It’s incredible how much responsibility they take on, not just for their Pokémon but for the people around them.

  Each Gym Leader takes pride in raising the next generation of trainers, mentoring those who come to them for guidance. They protect their cities from crime and defend against rogue Pokémon attacks, often acting as a first line of defense when things go wrong. Their strength isn’t just in battles but in their deep understanding of their Pokémon and the world around them.

  Watching Gym Leaders on television is now a completely different experience. There are regular broadcasts where they showcase new strategies, host training sessions, or give advice to aspiring trainers. It’s captivating to see them in action, as they demonstrate techniques and teach skills you wouldn’t normally pick up just by playing a game. The media even covers their involvement in local festivals and charity events, showcasing how much they give back to the community. And of course gym battles and just important battles.

  I think about how these Leaders dedicate their lives to training and protection, building strong bonds with their Pokémon that go beyond battles. They’re role models, teachers, and defenders. It’s impossible not to admire them. The games back home only scratched the surface—here, Gym Leaders are heroes.

  “You know, my favorite has to be Winona,” Alex was saying. He looked over at James, a slight smile on his face as he walked, his gaze thoughtful. “There’s just something about her that’s… I don’t know, inspiring. The way she handles her Flying-types, like she’s part of the sky with them.”

  James nodded, a little smile tugging at his lips. “She’s definitely impressive. I mean, mastering all those Flying-types with grace, she makes it look easy.” He chuckled. “But, for me, it’s gotta be Norman.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow, his smile growing a bit more mischievous. “Well, that makes sense—you are from Petalburg. Don’t tell me you’re biased because of hometown pride. I mean I'm also from Petalburg, and I think Normans cool and all, but I just prefer Winona”

  “Maybe,” James said, laughing. “But it’s more than that. Norman’s all about tough training and discipline. He doesn’t go easy on anyone, and it’s kind of inspiring. Plus, he’s the gym leader I grew up watching, so… I don’t know, I guess I just respect him a lot.”

  I couldn’t help but grin to myself. Hearing James talk about his hometown hero with so much respect made me feel a little prouder, too. Alex seemed to pick up on it, nodding with a thoughtful expression.

  “Well,” he said after a pause, “maybe someday, one of us will be as strong as Norman or Winona. We’ll have our own teams of Pokémon that make others think, ‘Wow, those trainers know what they’re doing.’” He glanced over at me with a smirk. “Right, Dune?”

  I nudged James with my nose, making a soft noise that was probably just a series of trills or little clacks in their ears, but I meant every word: “Oh, absolutely. We’ll get there.”

  We walked on for a few more hours as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The day was winding down, casting long shadows on the trail ahead of us. James and Alex had kept up a lively conversation about the gym challenges they’d face, tossing out strategies and ideas for how they’d make it to the big leagues. The excitement in their voices made the hike feel shorter, though my legs were starting to feel it by the time we stopped.

  As dusk settled in, James and Alex found a good spot off the path, a small clearing that felt sheltered and cozy, and began setting up camp. Alex knelt down, releasing Grovyle and Lotad from their Poké Balls. Lotad stretched with a big, lazy yawn, while Grovyle looked around with a confident gleam in his eye, assessing his new surroundings as though deciding if they were worthy of him.

  James and Alex set up little food bowls for each of us, filling them with Pokémon food that, I’ll admit, tastes pretty amazing for being, well… Pokémon food. It’s processed, and I guess it’s packed with the nutrients we need, but it has a flavor that’s surprisingly good, especially after a long day. And also eating out a bowl at first was pretty embarrassing, but I've gotten used to it.

  As we ate, Alex glanced over at James with a smirk, breaking the comfortable silence. “So, what about you? Do you think you’ll keep camping out like this when you’re a big-shot trainer?”

  James grinned around a mouthful of food. “Definitely. This is the part of the journey that makes it real, right? Just you, your Pokémon, and the wild around you.”

  Alex nodded, giving a knowing look to Grovyle, who was eating in his usual cool, composed manner. “Grovyle here seems to think so too. He’s always been the adventurous type, even back at Birch’s lab.”

  Grovyle glanced up, flashing a slight smirk. “Better than being cooped up in a lab all day,” he muttered in his own way, though to James and Alex, it was probably just a quiet growl. I caught his eye, and he raised a leafy arm in a slight salute, which I returned with a grin.

  Scorch, ever the energetic one, finished his food and hopped around Alex’s Lotad, chirping enthusiastically about the day. “So, do you always keep these two in their Poké Balls when you travel?” he asked in his way, though it likely came out as a series of curious chirps and bounces.

  Alex chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “Lotad and Grovyle like the rest,” he explained, tossing a smile at his Pokémon. “Lotad especially. He’s all about a good nap.”

  Lotad gave a dopey nod, looking content to just be lying in the grass. “Yeah… naps are great,” he said in his usual slow, mellow tone. I stifled a laugh, realizing just how much his personality matched his lazy, sleepy vibe.

  After we ate, the stars began to come out one by one, shimmering above us in the deepening night. James looked down at Scorch and me, reaching out a hand to pet us gently. “Alright, guys. We’re hitting the sack soon. Do either of you want to sleep in your Poké Balls?”

  Scorch immediately nodded, giving an enthusiastic chirp. “Yep, I want to try it! Feels kinda cozy in there.” And with that, he was back in his Poké Ball in a quick flash of red light.

  I thought about it, but there was something reassuring about being close to James in the quiet of the night. I shook my head, nudging his leg. “Nah, I’ll stay with you,” I said with a soft growl, though he only heard it as a few quiet clicks.

  James chuckled and patted my head. “Alright, buddy. Let’s get cozy.”

  A few minutes later, I was curled up next to him in his sleeping bag inside the tent, feeling the warmth and rhythm of his breathing.

  The campfire crackled softly outside the tent as the last embers slowly dimmed, leaving only the gentle glow of the stars overhead. Inside the tent, James lay back, his breathing steady and calm. I nestled into his side, feeling the warmth radiate from him. Being this close, I could hear his heartbeat—steady, like the rhythm of our journey together.

  Alex’s tent was a few feet away, and I could just barely hear him muttering something as he settled in. He seemed like the kind of guy who stayed up, thinking about the day and planning for tomorrow. Probably already picturing our next battle. Grovyle and Lotad were likely back in their Poké Balls, resting up in their own way.

  James shifted slightly, murmuring something under his breath. “One step closer,” he muttered, half-asleep but sounding determined even in his dreams. I couldn’t help but grin to myself, letting out a soft, approving hum that probably just sounded like a happy grumble to him.

  Outside, an occasional rustle from a nearby bush or the faint chirp of a Kricketot reminded us that we were just guests in this world, on a long path of discovery. And the thought of that—the adventure, the bonds we were building—was enough to make the day’s aches fade away.

  As sleep started to take over, I felt James’s hand rest on my side, a small reminder of the trust he had in me. I closed my eyes, sinking into sleep beside him. Whatever came next—new towns, tough trainers, wild Pokémon—I knew we’d be ready. With the stars as our nightlight and the path unwinding before us, we were exactly where we were meant to be.