Kudos if you reviewed 'n such ;)

All warnings and disclaimers are on the first chapter.

X.X

I choose Chespin, then!" Shauna said before she reached out and grabbed the pokeball that contained Chespin. "I can tell that lil' Chespin and I will make a great team!" she giggled.

Calem reached out and took the pokeball that contained Froakie and nodded. "I have a really good feeling that Froakie and I will accomplish great things." he then turned to the others, "I'm going to go on ahead. See you guys later."

While Natalie watched the other teen walk off, Shauna suddenly jumped in front of her with an enthusiastic grin on her face. Almost enough to cause her to feel a bit freaked out. "Hey, N-kins! Wanna have a quick battle?" she asked.

Natalie blinked. "Why not?" she replied.

Shauna let out a whoop of excitement before she brought out her pokeball. "Then let's get this party started!" she said before throwing the ball in the air. The round capsule opened and a white streak of light shot out before taking the form of a small, bipedal pokemon. Chespin let out a cute little cry once it got out.

Natalie smiled before she threw her ball in the air as well. A four-legged pokemon came out of the capsule and stood boldy. Letting out a quick yip. "Fire Mage, use ember!" Natalie yelled. The fennekin nodded and shot out small shots of fire from its mouth. Chespin let out a terrified yelp and immediately did its best to try and avoid the flames.

"Ah!" Shauna jumped back slightly in horror. "Chespin, use tackle!" she cried. Chespin lunged itself at Fire Mage and managed to hit him hard.

Fire Mage skidded back slightly but managed to stop. "Fire Mage! Use ember again!" Natalie yelled.

"Aw, crap!" Shauna cried when she saw her Chespin suddenly fall to the ground. Knocked out.

"Chespin is unable to battle!" Tierno announced, "Fire Mage wins!"

"Darn it!" Shauna yelled before stomping her foot on the ground before taking out her pokeball and returning Chespin to it. "You did your best, though." she added with a smile.

"Alright!" Natalie yelled happily, jumping in the air, "Nice job, Fire Mage!"

"Rrrroff!" Fire Mage yipped happily while doing a quick backflip.

"That was such a great battle." Trevor said as Natalie returned Fire Mage to his pokeball.

"Yeah! You're really good for a beginner. How did you learn how to fight so well?" Shauna asked.

Natalie shrugged. "Luck, I guess." she replied.

"Isn't your mom a pokemon trainer?" Tierno asked.

"Ryhorn racer." Natalie corrected, "It's not exactly begin a pokemon trainer."

"Oh. By the way!" Tierno added, "Professor Sycamore wanted me to give you two this! Calem, Trevor, and I already got ours this morning." Tierno reached into his bag and brought two separate devices. One aqua blue and the other pink. He then handed the blue one to Natalie and the pink one to Shauna.

"Cool!" Shauna said when she activated the device, "What is this?"

"Pokedexs." Trevor answered, "These devices help us record pokemon we might see on our journey."

"Neat." Natalie said before she put her pokedex in her blue enamel-stripped purse.

"Well, I'm gonna go and try to fill up my pokedex." Trevor said, "See ya later!"

"Hey! Wait up!" Tierno said before running after the younger boy.

Shauna then turned to Natalie. "I'm gonna go too. See ya around, N-kins!"

Natalie blinked as she watched the young girl speed away down the stairs and across the bridge. She can't help but wonder how she's able to have so much energy in her. Shaking her head with a fond smile, walked down the steps as well before making her way across the bridge.

That night...

Natalie held her hand out to her fennekin. In it was a strawberry flavored poffin. Fire Mage sniffed it before taking in the entire thing whole.

"Hungery, aren't you?" Natalie giggled as she stroked the young pokemon's head. Fennekin purred at the gentle touch and nuzzled her hand for more attention. The two sat close to the smile fire they made for the night. After putting the fire out, Natalie removed her hat and white riding boots before slipping into her sleeping bag. Fennekin was curled up beside her fast asleep. Natalie, however, couldn't.

"Hey, Fire Mage? Are you awake?" Natalie whispered.

"Frrrr?" Fire Mage opened his eyes sleepily before looking over at his trainer.

"Sorry. But I just can't sleep right now." Natalie apologized when she saw the tired look in his eyes.

Fire Mage blinked before smiling a small, understanding smile. Natalie smiled back. "Can I tell you something?" Natalie asked as they gazed up at the endless sea of stars above them. "Since we're going to be traveling together, I might as well tell you a bit about myself."

Fire Mage was all ears.

"The truth is, I actually just moved here from Kanto. You see... My parents are Ryhorn racers. And the best out there. They use to take me to their races all the time since I could walk." the small smile that was on her face suddenly dropped an inch. "A year ago...during a race...my dad got into a terrible accident..."

Fire Mage lifted his head up when he noticed the sudden change in his trainer's voice. Was she about to cry?

"Ryhorn was alright." Natalie said, "But dad..."

Fire Mage noticed a small glint streak down her cheek. A mournful whimper escaped Fire Mage as his ears flattened. He walked up to Natalie and licked her cheek soothingly. This had taken Natalie slightly by surprise. But it also assured her that Fire Mage was actually listening.

"Thanks, Fire Mage." she said, a look of gratitude in her brown eyes.

"Frrrrghh!" Fire Mage yipped happily.

X.X

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Quick update!