"Hmm... there! I see it!" Davin pointed north. He, Zapter, and Hana stared in awe as the region of Sinnoh was coming into view. All three were excited to be going on a new adventure, where they were all prepared to work hard and aim for their goal at conquering the Sinnoh League. "I'll win for sure this time," Davin smiled as he clenched his fist. "I just know it!"

When the ferry had reached shore, everyone departed on to the dock. Davin checked his Sinnoh map on his Pokegear that Professor Cypress had installed before he left.

"So this is Sandgem Town," he confirmed while Hana was on his shoulder and Zapter floated near his left side. "And from what the professor told me, the first gym is in Oreburgh City. So, if we go through Route 202 and go right of Jubilife City, we'll be there in no time. Sound like a plan, guys?"

"Chikori!" Hana nodded.

"Magnemite!" Zapter smiled.

He recalled them to their Poke balls and stuffed them in his pocket as he walked further into this new town.


A few minutes later, Davin was outside of a huge building that he suspected was some kind of laboratory. "Wow... I wonder what kind of research they do there." he wondered.

He kept his eyes on the building as he walked a few more paces until he felt someone bump into him, resulting in both of them falling flat on their backs.

"Nngh..." Davin said as he rubbed his head. He slowly rose up to see a boy around his age with blonde hair, wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, long light-black pants and brown shoes; Davin also noticed that he wore a light-green scarf around his neck and that his brown-colored satchel was over his right shoulder.

*A/N - He is basically Barry, the rival from the Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum games, except he wears a blue shirt instead of the collar shirt that's orange and white*

The boy rose up and pointed his finger at Davin. "Hey! Why don't you look where you're going?! Don't you know that serious accidents can happen when you do that?"

"What are you talking about?" Davin said as he stood up. "You're the one who bumped into me!"

The boy also stood up. "Well, whatever. Just be careful next time, will ya?"

Davin shook his head. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Me? I'm Zale. My dream is to get all eight Sinnoh badges and enter the Pokemon league!"

"Really?! Cool! My name's Davin, and I've come from the Varex region to enter the Sinnoh League as well."

"Oh, really?" Zale said, sounding doubtful. He walked closer to Davin and started eyeing him all over, much to the latter's confusion and discomfort. Zale then backed away, closed his eyes, folded his arms, and, with a frown, said, "Nope. I don't see it."

"See what?" Davin asked, confused.

Zale opened his eyes. "Your quality. You don't seem like the kind of trainer who could successfully get all the badges." A smirk appeared on his lips. "Personally, I doubt you could even make it past the first gym."

"What?!" Davin shouted, his anger having been awoken.

"Heck, I doubt you could even beat me in a battle." Zale added. "I've only been on my journey for a week and two days, but I'm so strong, I could probably get all eight badges within a day!"

"Well, actions speak louder than words, so let's see if you can back up what you say in a battle?" Davin challenged.

"Fine. But don't be surprised when I beat you." He grinned.


The boys distanced themselves from about 7 feet to give their Pokemon some room for battle.

"Let's make it 2-on-2." Davin said.

"Sure." Zale took out a Poke ball and threw it. "Shinx, let's go!" The ball opened and a lion cub with the colors blue, black, and yellow materialized into battle; it also had a yellow star at the end of its tail and the tuft of blue fur on its mane was noticeable as it stuck out a bit.

"What kind of Pokemon is that?" Davin asked as he took out his Pokedex.

"Shinx, the Flash Pokemon. The extension and contraction of Shinx's muscles generates electricity. Its body glows if it is in danger."

Davin enlarged one of his Poke balls. "Alright, Hana, you're up!" He threw the Poke ball and the baby Chikorita was released. "Are you ready for your first battle, Hana?"

"Chika!" She firmed her stance with readiness in her eyes.

Zale blinked. "First battle?"

"Yep." Davin nodded. "You see, this Chikorita just hatched yesterday, so it hasn't had an official battle until now."

Zale smirked. "Well, it's a shame that its first battle is going to end in defeat! Shinx, use Spark!" Its body became surrounded by blue electricity as it ran towards its foe.

"We'll see about that! Hana, use Petal Dance!" With a toss of her head, she released a spiraling wind of pink petals from her head-leaf. Shinx charged through, despite the petals making contact, and tackled Hana with its electricity filled body. "Oh no!"

Zale chuckled. "I guess since Chikorita just hatched, its Petal Dance doesn't compare to a real one."

Davin scowled. "Then how about this? Leaf Storm!" Hana's leaf glowed as multiple glowing leaves gathered around her body; she then sent them over to Shinx.

"Dodge it!" Shinx quickly jumped out of the way before it could be hit. "Now, Tackle!"

"Double Team!" As soon as Shinx was in range, Chikorita's body momentarily glowed white and she multiplied.

"Shinx, blast them all away with your Charge Beam!" Yellow sparks surrounded its body and fired a beam of electricity at every single one until it hit the actual Hana.

"You okay?" Davin asked. Hana shook the electric sparks off and stood firm. "Alright! Let's use Solar Beam!" She lifted her leaf into the air as it glowed and began to absorb the sun's rays.

"Now's our chance, Shinx! Use Bite!" The electric Pokemon jumped and propelled its body towards Hana to successfully bite her head.

"Hang in there, Hana! Concentrate on your move and try to bear the pain!"

"Bite harder, Shinx! Don't let up one bit!" The Flash Pokemon dug its fangs deeper into the Chikotita's skin as Hana gritted her teeth, trying to obey her trainer's command. Soon, the sunlight was gathered into Hana's leaf.

"Now, Hana! Throw Shinx off and use Solar Beam!" With all her might, Hana managed to toss Shinx towards the sky with a violent swing of her head and she fired the Solar Beam at Shinx while it was in midair.

"No! Shinx!" Zale cried. Shinx landed on the ground with a thud and had fainted.

"Awesome! Way to go, Hana!" Davin cheered.

"Chika, Chika!" She happily jumped.

With grimace, Zale recalled Shinx. "No matter. I've still got this one! I choose you!" He threw a different Poke ball and a green turtle with a brown shell, a yellow jawbone, and a seedling on top of its head came out. Naturally, Davin looked it up on his Pokedex.

"Turtwig, the Tiny Leaf Pokemon. The shell on its back is made of soil, and it will only feel moist on a Turtwig who is healthy."

"Return, Hana!" Davin held her Poke ball and its red light enveloped her, bringing her back inside of it. "Now, Zapter, it's your turn!" He tossed a new Poke ball to reveal his Magnemite. "Just to let you know, Zale, unlike Hana, Zapter wasn't hatched and it's a very tough opponent."

"Ha! That doesn't scare me one bit. Turtwig, show 'em how tough you are with Razor Leaf!" The leaves on its head glowed as it swung its head to release the razor-sharp leaves. Unfortunately, when they hit Zapter, it showed no signs of pain. "Huh?!"

Davin chuckled. "You'll have to do better than that. My Magnemite's steel body renders lightweight attacks like Razor Leaf useless."

Zale growled. "Fine, then! Turtwig, use Tackle!" It charged at Zapter and rammed its body, but it backfired and Turtwig skidded across the field due to Zapter's steel body being strong. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

"Now, Zapter, use Mirror Shot!" Its eye flashed white and it fired a green-colored beam from it that struck Turtwig when it tried to stand up. "How you like that?"

Zale grunted. "Use Withdraw!" Turtwig tucked its legs in and lied down its head as its body flashed red, indicating that its defense was increasing.

"That won't stop us! Thunderbolt!" Electricity charged in Zapter's magnets and it fired a beam of electricity, shocking Turtwig as it was hit.

"Hang in there and use Tackle!" When Turtwig tried to move, yellow sparks appeared on its body that made it stop. "It's paralyzed?!"

Davin smirked. "Turtwig's not going to last, Zapter, so let's end this with Electro Ball!"

"Magne..." Zapter put its magnets together and a yellow sphere of electricity formed between them. "Mite!" It then threw the sphere at Turtwig and it exploded on contact with the Tiny Leaf Pokemon.

"Turtwig!" Zale shouted. When the smoke cleared, it was lying flat on the ground, unconscious.

"We win!" Davin announced proudly. "Good job, Zapter."

"Magne, Magnmite!" It went up and down in the air excitedly.

Zale grunted as he recalled Turtwig. "Okay, I admit you've got some quality as a trainer, but that's all I'm going to give you for now." He picked up his satchel. "I may have lost, but next time we meet, I'll beat you for sure! Count on it!"

"Heh! I look forward to it!" Davin grinned. Zale turned and walked away with bitterness from his lost.

"Well, that was quite a battle you had there." A sudden gruff voice said. Davin was a bit surprised at it and he turned to his right to see a man with white hair, a moustache of the same color, wearing a blue vest and black pants.

"Uh... thanks." the boy said. "Who are you?"

"I am Professor Rowan," he introduced. "And you must be Davin, am I correct?"

Davin gasped and blinked at once. "How do you know my name?"

"Professor Cypress contacted me and said that a young boy with a Chikorita and Magnmite would be coming to Sandgem Town to start a new journey. She asked me to provide you with Poke balls, seeing as you don't have any." The Professor turned his back and walked a few steps forward to the building before he turned his head back to Davin. "Are you coming?"

"Uh... Yes." He nodded, feeling a little unease from the man. Davin recalled his Magnemite and followed Professor Rowan to his lab.