The soft summer sunlight filtering through the thick tree leaves wakes me from my light sleep. I slowly stretch my muscles and then make my way up from the ground. Vulpix rustles herself awake and then sends out an array of yelps, her tails wagging, showing that she was ready for the day. Morning little one. Rapidash's voice in my mind causes me to smile widely and turn my eyes to the equine that was now standing. I could remember when she was just a filly, much smaller than me. She grew quickly and soon she was at my height and when she evolved into a Rapidash she was able to tower a little over me. That was where my beloved nickname came from. Good morning Dash. My nickname for the Pokémon was not very original, but it was short and sweet and fit the equine just fine. Once my normal morning greetings were over I search the thicket for the new companion that I had met in the night. The boy was sitting against one of the thick tree trunks. One leg was curled up to his chest and one was outstretched on the ground. His eyes locked on me, already awake, though his Sawbuck was still curled on the ground asleep.

"Good morning Violet." His smile was wide and friendly, a look that I was not used to and so my shy eyes dart back to the ground.
"Morning." My words are mumbled, but a soft chuckle coming from the boy told me that he had heard me speak. Once silence fell over us I set out to pack up my belongings. Within seconds the boy was on his feet and making his way to my side. I had to fight to keep my eyes from him. I didn't want to think I was some strange girl who couldn't keep my eyes off of him.
"Where are you headed?" His words came with a tone that seemed as if he was truly interested in my adventure and that gave me the hopeful thought that he might actually want to travel with us. But that was absurd. Wasn't it?
"Icirrus City." I look up then, sending a slight smile to the boy. His smile widens at my words his hand once again reaching up to scratch the back of his head.
"I hear that's a pretty interesting town… Mind if I come?" My head screamed for joy at this question. I would love it if he would come with me. I would have another person on the journey with me. A possible friend? Or more. At those words I can feel my cheeks begin to burn but I push the heat down, not wanting the boy to see how excited I was. I didn't want to scare him.

I keep a cool expression on my face, but allow a slight smile to grace my lips.
"No, I wouldn't mind. It might be good to have some company." My words are much calmer than my mind and I am thankful for that. Nathanial's smile widens even more at this. If he smiled anymore the smile would take up his whole face.
"My thoughts exactly!" His words were riddled with excitement, showing me that he wasn't just offering his company out of pity. Good, maybe he would actually take the time to get to know me. Unlike the other kids. At the thought of my past I shake my head, locking the memories back up. Now was not the time to feel sorry for myself. Nathanial bounds over to his Sawbuck who was now wide awake and standing. The boy quickly vaulted onto the large deer's back then looked over at me with wide eyes.
"Well hurry up!" I allow a slight laugh at this. He sure would be interesting to have around. I quickly pack my Vulpix into her backpack and then mount onto Rapidash. Once I am up the boy rushes out of the forest and onto the path, but Dash and I have no trouble keeping up with the Sawsbuck. But I have to keep the Pokémon back, keeping her love of racing down to a minimum or else we would shoot far away from the pair in a burst of fire. So we ride side by side down the path, the boy babbling on and on as if we had been friends forever. He didn't seem to mind that I didn't speak much, which was good. I was better at listening than speaking. So, the talkative boy and I got along perfectly. The farther we traveled the more I learned about him. He was 19, born in simple Accumula town. He began his Pokémon journey a year ago, though he had just been wandering around aimlessly for that year. He had not really experienced anything interesting through his journey and now he was hoping for a true adventure. At this I admit that I was hoping for an adventure too. Nathanial smiles at this and tells me that we can journey together. I can't help but blush at this and agree, making the boy laugh and smile sweetly.

After a few hours the boy got some of my story out of me. I told him that I had just turned seventeen and my parents had chosen to let me start my journey then. I explained my home, the farm, and all the Pokémon we had. Nathanial seemed very interested in the farm. He told me that he wanted to meet every type of Pokémon. To learn every skill they held. He just kept getting more and more perfect. But as perfect as he was I did not speak of my friendlessness and I still chose to hide my special connection with Rapidash. I was not sure that I could trust him that much. Sure, he was sweet and friendly, but that did not mean he was trustworthy enough for my secrets. I would have to get much closer to him for that, but I would not mind this. I wanted to be as close to him as possible. As we travel we soon reach a large grassy plain, with a lake right in the middle. The lake looks tempting, both Rapidash and Vulpix could use a drink.
"Lake! We can go fishing for Pokémon!" Nathanial's voice is rises with excitement and he urges his Sawsbuck to move faster. I quickly have Rapidash do the same and we are halfway to the lake in no time. But then the grass moves in front of us and a large form bursts into the sky, making Dash rear to a halt. The black underbelly and red top of the large bird tells me that it is a Braviary. The creature squawks in the air and hovers above us. I glance at Nathanial, wondering who would get the chance to catch the Pokémon.

"I'll let it be an early birthday present. Go for it!" The wide smile of the boy tells me that he means what he says and so I unzip Vulpix from her pack and vault off of Rapidash.
"Come on Vulpix!" She gives me a sharp yelp and bounds out in front of me, showing that she is ready. The Braviary sees our actions and dives towards us, flapping its wings once he reaches high speed and blurs, his form dives straight for Vulpix and also straight for the ground, so its name fit him. He was brave.
"Dodge it Vulpix!" The red fluff ball just barely bounds out of way of the Arial Ace attack. The bird was then left ruffed up on the ground and I take advantage of this.
"Vulpix!" Her big black eyes turn to me. "Quick attack and then Ember!" The tiny creature bounds towards the bird moving so fast that her form blurred, ramming into him, just barely making it away from his beak pecking at her. Then a small burst of fire erupts from her wide mouth, engulfing the bird for a moment and then dissipating. I quickly grab my Pokeball and thrust it at the Braviary. Its form is brought into the ball with a stream of red and after four shakes of the ball the Pokémon is mine.
"Yeah!" I jump high into the air in victory. "Good job Vulpix!" The Vulpix rushes up to me, vaulting into my arms and curling up happily.
"Great job!" Nathanial praises happily. I quickly pack the Pokeball into my bag and then we start towards the lake again.

We arrive at the water in no time and Nathanial starts to fish at once. I allow Vulpix and Rapidash to drink and I release the Braviary. I spray him with a potion, healing all the damage Vulpix had dealt and then allow him to join my other Pokémon. Though Vulpix had defeated him the two seem to get along well, but Dash keeps her distance. Anything that could leave the ground and fly always made her a little shy.
"I got something!" Nathanial's scream of excitement brought my eyes back to him, the fishing rod in his hand bending with strain. Soon a large form bursts out of the water. A Mantine flopped about on the ground that Nathanial had pulled it onto. But even though the Pokémon was out of its element the creature sent out a burst of bubbles towards Sawsbuck.
"Use energy ball!" Nathanial ordered excitedly. A green orb came together in front of the deer creature and then shot towards the Mantine. With a burst of energy it hit and then right after Nathanial sent out a Pokeball. The Mantine was easily caught. As soon as it was caught the boy released it and sprayed it with a potion. Then his eyes turned to me.
"Now that we've both got new Pokémon we should battle!" I raise an eyebrow at the boy. I would, but I wouldn't want to risk not finding a Pokémon Center with hurt Pokémon.
"I would, but we aren't close to a Poke Center." The boy shakes his head at me, and then points to a slight hill in the prairie. Over the cliff of this the known red roof of a Poke Center stuck out. I blush a bit at this. I had not even noticed that there was a town just beyond the hill. I really needed to start working on my observation skills. But now there was Poke Center close I could battle Nathanial. I send out a smile to him and nod sharply.
"You're on!" I can feel my voice rise with excitement. This was going to be fun.