Wait…what

Wait…what?" I asked, utterly bewildered. If he had sent out the Pokemon, but not wanted a battle, what the hell was he doing?

The Hiker continued to laugh, setting down his large backpack.

"I take it you're new to this whole thing?" he asked.

"Yeah…" I muttered.

"Don't worry son. I'm used to this from you city folk." The hiker said reassuringly. "Especially the young ones. You all jump the gun a bit….still, nothing like sharp reactions, eh?" He reached into his bag, pulling out a potion of some sort. He sprayed the Geodude with it once and returned the now empty container to his bag. The Geodude stirred, lifting itself off the ground with its rough fists. It lowered itself, cracked its knuckles once and wandered back to the Hiker. The Hiker explained briefly to the Pokemon what had happened and the Pokemon took a cheerful expression not unlike the one resting on the Hikers face. "The name's Mark" he told me, extending a hand the size of a dinner plate.
"Matt" I replied, returning the shake.

"So, Matt" the Hiker began. "Where you headed?" I looked at him and answered truthfully.
"I don't really know. I'm just wandering through this place." I said, looking around. There was nowhere to go, really. We were in the middle of a valley lined with trees.

"Not a wise idea, son. You should always have a plan, even if it's just a rough one. Also, try and tell someone at the other end that you're headed out, so if you're not there at least someone will notice." Mark looked at me, giving me advice that had no doubt been given to every trainer who had answered similarly. He noticed the look on my face and laughed. "I know, I've given this advice before" he started. "But I wouldn't be giving it if it wasn't good advice. Anyway, most folks passing through here are headed out to the Rock Tunnel, which is just along the way you're headed now. There's a Pokemon centre outside it, you can't miss it. If you pushed on ahead you'd make it there before sundown. If you look closely enough, you'll see the Power Station on the other side of the river. I've heard they're in need of a hand, but I'm not the one to extend it, and from what I've seen of you, you're not either." He glanced at me. "Nothing personal, kid. But you're too inexperienced to be able to. You've only got one Pokemon, and it's a water type. Walking into a Power Plant with an Electric infestation would be suicide." I sighed. He was right, of course. This didn't curb my enthusiasm, however, and I vowed to return one day, even if only to look. "Anyway, I'd best be off." The hiker lifted his huge rucksack. Then he remembered something and lowered it again. He opened another pocket and removed a pokeball. He threw it to me, and surprisingly I caught it. "Take this kid, and don't forget me." He swung the bag onto his back and looked at the Geodude. "C'mon you" he ordered, walking away. The Geodude obediently followed.

I looked at the Pokeball I'd caught, and took my phone out of my pocket. I dialled Misty's number…engaged. She wasn't going to pick up any time soon. I'd have to wait for her to return my call. I attached the Pokeball to my belt, sighed, called the Krabby and started to walk towards the Pokemon centre.