The journey to New Bark Town had been a long and tiresome one indeed. Even with various rest stops in this two-day trip, it still had managed to turn some kids into zombies. The only ones that were immune to this harmless disease of fatigue belonged to the subspecies of Homo Athleticus.

Lucy, at that moment, had almost regretted her life-long neglect of exercise. Almost. So when Whitney finally announced that they had arrived at the glorious New Bark Town, the majority of the troop let out a sigh of relief. Even Igni rejoiced. They had finally made it; they had made it to the place where everyone's official adventures would start! Lucy found herself bubbling with excitement, for once, instead of trembling with anxiety. She was still shaking a bit as she remembered her experiences in Ilex Forest and Union Cave, but she'd soon get over that. Soon for her, though, meant in a day or two.

The first thing to greet their sights when they stepped into the town was an association of people in lab coats. They had brought out desks outside the lab and onto the grass and many of the professional-looking people sat in them as they typed away on their laptops. In the midst of all these smaller, occupied desks stood a tall, drawer-liked device. It had what seemed to be a glass lid built on top of it; the lid itself was securely locked and was opaque so as to not let anyone see what it contained inside.

"Hello, everyone! Welcome to New Bark Town's lab!" A bespectacled and lanky man left one of the stations and approached Whitney's group. He gave a generous handshake to both Whitney and her assistant. "How are you, Whitney? It's been quite a long while since I've seen you."

"I've been good, professor. And, yeah, sorry about that. I definitely owe you more visits but you know how it is," she chirped.

"Yes, yes, don't you worry! I know the life of a gym leader can be quite hectic. And I've heard you're quite the gym leader."

"Ah, well; I like to serve as a challenge for these squirts," she smirked with a slight chuckle.

The professor laughed heartily. He turned to face the group of about two dozen or so children and cleared his throat. "Hello, guys! My name is Professor Elm and I, today, will have the pleasure of registering all of you into the system. Once done, all of you will be recognized as official pokemon trainers in all, existing regions." He clapped his hands in a joyful manner. "Alright then! I just need you guys to form a line in any of these three stations and my assistants will gladly begin your registration."

The group broke out into chatter and discussion as they scattered about and moved to the stations.

Lucy swiftly raced to the closest station and acquired second position in the line. She swiveled her knapsack to rest against her belly and promptly dug out the needed paperwork. "This is so exciting," she whispered to Igni, "I'm just s-steps away from being an actual trainer."

"Next!" The kid in front of her shifted away from the desk.

"H-hi," she passed the documents to the woman, "My n-name is Lucy."

"Alright, honey. One second," replied the woman. Her long fingernails clacked rapidly against the keyboard. She squinted at the screen, shifted through Lucy's papers, and went back to typing. "Alright…and done! You are now registered in the system."

"Oh, thank you!"

"We keep the papers, honey," she stated when Lucy went to reach for them. "Go the Professor. He is the one handing out the Pokedex devices and starters."

"Ruh-right. Thanks!" Lucy stepped away from her desk. She properly adjusted her knapsack as she glanced about. The drawer-like device had been opened to reveal rows of pokeballs. Several of the pockets in the rows were already empty, suggesting that people had already claimed their starters.

I wonder what starter I should pick. Definitely not Cyndaquil. Igni's already a fire-type.

She grabbed onto Igni's paw and led him closer to the mass of children gathered around Professor Elm. Everyone chattered amongst themselves, asking for their friends' opinions and examining the pokémon available. She spotted a Totodile dancing happily, to which Whitney was busy gushing at.

"What do you think Igni?" Lucy glanced at him, only to notice he was completely mesmerized with the twirling reptile. She smiled and let go of his paw, allowing him to go off and play with the pokemon available to the public.

Maybe that Totodile would be a nice companion for Igni.

As she looked at all the kids around her, her smile drooped.

Maybe I could ask someone? No….I don't really k-

Her eyes caught sight of the same strange girl who had talked to her, albeit only once, before. She sat at a measurable distance from everyone else, her bird pokémon comfortably lying atop her lap. Lucy gulped softly and clenched her fists.

Nuh-uh, I can't start a conversation at all, especially with someone that already doesn't like me…She let a sigh escape her.

"Do you need advice on what starter to choose?"

"Ah! Oh…s-sorry sir," she exclaimed.

"Hahaha! It's quite alright! I, too, find the presence of all these pokemon to be mesmerizing," the Professor pushed up his glasses and shot her a smile. "It's good to consider what variables come to play when selecting a starter. Will this be your first pokémon?"

"Well no…I, um, have a pokémon friend already. He's a Magby."

At this, Professor Elm's eyes widened. "A Magby? I see. Very nice! Are you by any chance related to the Day Care couple in Goldenrod?"

This time it was Lucy's turn to be surprised. "Yes- I'm their granddaughter, L-lucy."

"Ah. That explains it. The only way to get a Magby is through breeding a Magmar. And I had also been told a relative of theirs would take part of this trip." He looked around and finally caught sight of Magby, who was currently playing and singing with one of the Totodiles. He laughed loudly and shoved his hands in his pockets. "He's pretty friendly, isn't he?"

"Yes…He's a v-very happy and friendly pokémon."

He scrutinized Lucy as he hummed to himself. "Say, can I introduce you to someone? She's quite shy, but I think she'll like you and your Magby."

"Uh…Okay." She called Igni to her side, took hold of his paw, and obediently followed after the towering man. They weaved through the mob of people in front of them, trailing away from the main entrance of the Lab.

"She should be hiding around here somewhere…" He glanced back at Lucy, who gave him a nervous smile, and looked about as he kept walking. He was so concentrated in his search that he nearly tripped over a girl by the trees. "Whoops, sorry! Didn't see you there," he apologized as he kneeled to the girl's level. It was the girl in the lavender dress that Lucy had so desperately been trying to avoid. She didn't say anything nor did she react much to the professor's apology. Lucy stood near the man and she wriggled anxiously at the look the girl's bird was giving her.

"Say, have you by any chance seen a Chikorita hiding around here?" She gave him a blank look before nodding and pointing towards the back of the Lab. Professor Elm arched a brow in surprise. "Wow, I can't believe she's that afraid of people. Alright, thanks!" He pushed back his glasses as he lifted himself off the ground and dusted off his slacks. "Say, have you picked out your starter yet?"

The girl frowned before opting to answer. "I don't have any interest in pokemon that aren't dark or ghost type."

"Oh well…Are you sure?"

Her feathered partner hopped onto her shoulder and squawked loudly at the man.

"Haha! I guess your Murkrow shares the same thought. Alright then," he cleared his throat and walked off, "Good luck on your adventure!"

Lucy glanced at both repeatedly. The girl was busy looking off to the side, her arms crossed and her mouth a thin line. Lucy offered a quick goodbye, to which the girl did not respond to, and went after the Professor.

"Chiki! Chikorita! Come out!"

"Mag, Mag!" Igni joined in on the Professor's calls while Lucy peered and searched through the trees and bush.

"Chikorita!" He was passing by a sheared shrub when he suddenly halted. Rolling up his sleeves, he plunged his hands into the hedge and struggled with the defiant Chikorita.

"Chika!" The Chikorita gave a high-pitched yelp.

"Now, come on Chikor-Ow!" He successfully brought her out, and with only a few scratches and cuts as proof of his battle. "There, there, settle down…" He held the shivering Chikorita close to his chest and patted her soothingly. "You see, Chikorita? We're your friends!"

Lucy gave her a pleasant wave as Elm placed her onto the floor. He sat next to her, making sure she didn't try to flee. "See, that's Lucy and her Magby friend. They're going to be your new friends." Chikorita widened her eyes and squirmed against Elm's hold as Igni approached her.

"I-Igni, I don't think you shou-"

"No, no! Let him play around with her. She needs to stop being so fearful of… well, everything!" Elm shook his head softly and fixed his gaze on Lucy. "Why don't you pick her as your starter?"

Lucy's jaw nearly hit the ground as she gaped at him. "B-but sir…I'm not so sure I'd be a good fit…"

"Because you two are extremely similar? Yes, I understand what you're insinuating." He looked at Igni, who was currently whistling cheerfully at the timid Chikorita. "He seems to be skilled at making other pokémon feel at home."

"Yeah, I guess he really is…."

But I, on the other hand, just make others feel even more uncomfortable, she thought to herself as she grasped at her pant leg.

"But I feel as if she might find it easier to relate to you since you two seem to be cut from the same cloth." Her head shot up quickly and stared at him with astonishment. "Now, I'm going to propose something to you. Can you do me a favor, Lucy? It's going to be a tough one but," He stood up and pulled a pokeball out of his pocket. Chikorita yelped and tried to make a run for it, but he swiftly managed to return her back to her pokeball. "But I'm sure you'll accomplish it, especially with Igni at your side." He walked to her side, giving her a friendly smile as he placed the pokeball into the palm of hand. "All I'm asking of you is this: Become Chikorita's friend and bring her out of her shell."

"I'll d-do my best sir!" she blurted out with a flush painting her face.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~XX~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Lucy had been one of the last kids to receive her Pokedex and extra supplies. By the time Elm had finished explaining the little mission to Lucy, nearly everyone had departed to start their adventures. Even Whitney and her fellow aide had left for Goldenrod, where Whitney's gym awaited her return. After a brief description on how the Pokedex worked, Professor Elm had given the children a great farewell and had wished them all luck.

Lucy wandered towards the outskirts of the town. She stopped as she and Igni faced the route beyond them. "I should call grandma and grandpa, shouldn't I?"

"Mag!"

With one hand in place with Igni's, she searched for the Pokegear in her bag and clicked the Daycare's number. Her smile grew from ear to ear when she heard the gentle greeting from the other side. "Yes, hello Grandma. It's me, Lucy."

"Lucy! Dear, how are you? How is everything? Turn on the video chat through our side!" She fumbled with the gear as she tried to find the switch.

"Everything's fine, Grandma. I'm sorry I haven't called you since you since Union Cave."

"I was growing a bit worri-"

"She was gonna call ya already and ruin your fun! At least your trusty grandpa stopped her, right kiddo?!" The old man bellowed and his wife glared at him with annoyance. "How's Igni?"

"We're both fine, Grandpa." She paused and spared a quick glance to Chikorita's pokeball, which lay in the inside of her bag. "I got him a new friend and I'm about to head off to Cherrygrove City." At this, both grandparents raised their brow in curiosity. Their granddaughter didn't sound as nervous as they had expected. Lucy grinned shyly and darted her eyes from grandparent to grandparent.

"Well, that's great!"

"We wish you good luck, Lucy."

"Thank you. I, um, love you guys."

Both of the grandparents smiled and returned the words of affection.

"Goodbye!"

"Talk to you late kiddo!"

As soon as the call ended and their faces faded from the screen, her smile fell somewhat.

"I miss them already," she mumbled under her breath. She shook her head and pulled at Igni's paw. They walked away from the town and immersed themselves into the wilderness of route 29.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~XX~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

"Igni, use Smog!" A purple cloud gathered itself around the Pidgey, effectively suffocating it with poison. It crowed drunkenly as it tried to take flight and escape.

"Go, pokeball!" Lucy flung the pokeball towards it and crossed her fingers in hope, an action Igni imitated. Somehow, however, it managed to dodge the device, even though it was in a dazed state. It gave the device a quick slap with its wing and scrambled on the ground. It finally caught a slight wind and, with a frantic flapping of its wings, took off and escaped.

"No! Come back!" She slumped down onto the ground and sat down with a dejected sigh. She stretched out her hand and gathered the rejected pokeball.

"I don't understand, Igni… This is the fourth Pidgey we try to catch and all have managed to escape!"

Igni flinched a bit at her desperate shout before patting her back.

"Sorry Igni… Maybe I should just give u-"

"Mag!"

"On catching P-pidgey, I mean. Not on the whole becoming an Elite Four member dream." She crossed her legs and hunched forward to pluck at the grass. "Besides, I don't want to tire you out…"

"Then just use your other pokémon."

She bolted upright at the voice and gasped out in surprise. "Wha-" She hadn't even heard the girl step towards her and apparently Igni hadn't either, as evident of the way he tensed up suddenly. She stood up to face the girl. "W-well, I don't think C-chikorita likes me very much…"

The girl didn't say anything for a while and just stared at her through narrowed eyes.

Lucy scratched the back of her head anxiously before deciding to cut through the silence. "Umm… I-I never introduced myself. My name is Lucy," she twirled her fingers a bit before continuing in a hushed tone, "Nice to m-meet you…"

Both the girl and her bird friend sighed at the same exact time.

"The problem is that you aren't weakening the Pidgey enough. Poison is only good tactic if coupled with something else. And, yes, hello; my name is Gwyn."

Gwyn started to walk away, to which Lucy hunched at even more, before stopping and looking over her shoulder. "Follow?"

"Huh? She perked her head up in shock and sputtered out quickly, "Right, s-sorry!" She halted when Gwyn did as such, and waited behind her with Igni.

"I'll only show you once so please pay attention. Get ready, Murky." The black bird squawked loudly as it flew off its perch and hovered near its master. "So, you have to attack the pokémon until it tires out," she paused, "Is Smog the only move your Magby has?"

"Um…He knows Ember as well…I think."

"Good. Use that instead."

Lucy gasped. "But, won't that hurt them much more?"

Gwyn blinked owlishly at the red-head.

"Yes. Well, no…Just watch." She pointed at the little heap of a pokémon sleeping in a bush across them. "Murky, use Peck on that Sentret!" Her pokémon darted in flight towards its victim, the bird's beak looking sharper than ever.

Both Lucy and Igni wore a horrified look on their faces. "But…" She shut her eyes tight when she heard Sentret squeal in shock at being awakened so abruptly.

"It was just a little scare. My Murkrow knows not to be too rough."

Her words held true; Murkrow had targeted Sentret's tail with light pecks. When she heard Lucy exhale her held breathe, she went on.

"The point is to tire them out, not injure them to death." The Sentret skirted the beaten trail with Murkrow in tow, its little legs ready to give out in any second. "Murky, settle!" At the turn, Murkrow ceased his taunting and glided back onto Gwyn's shoulder. She took out a pokeball without any hesitation and threw it towards the Sentret. The baby Sentret, who either hadn't noticed or was just too tired, never smacked it back with its tail. It was sucked into the pokeball, which now lay rocking side-to-side on the ground. The whole entire time Lucy and Igni had just been watching in awe at Gwyn's flawless demonstration of a correct capture. "There. Good?" She scooped the pokeball into her hands and blankly stared at it.

"T-that was amazing! I-I understand now. Thank you, Gwyn."

"Mag!"

"Not really. Amazing is Morty, the gym leader from Ecruteak City."

"Ha-ha…You really like Morty don't you?"

"Mag, Mag!"

Gywn scowled all of the sudden. She appeared to be paying very little, if any attention to either of them. She threw the pokeball back towards the ground, sending out the tiny Sentret.

"Wait, shouldn't you take him to the Pokecenter?"

She looked from the Sentret to Lucy, her frown fading a bit, "No. I don't want it. I only like ghost and dark Pokémon."

"So…you're just going to leave him?" Gwyn just shrugged.

That…wasn't very nice. Such a cute little thing…

"You can have it if you want. Have fun." And with that, she started to head off towards the direction of Cherrygrove. Lucy bit her lip and looked unsurely to the baby pokemon. She didn't want to just leave him there…but she also didn't want to stress him out and make him go through another capture. She huddled over to the unconscious Sentret and moved him under some of the surrounding bushes. Igni helped her by gently tucking Sentret's tail closer to its body.

"He just needs a bit of rest…" she whispered to both herself and Igni. "Ah! Um, Gwyn!" She ran towards the fast-paced girl with Igni close by her side.

"Yes?"

She gulped softly before chuckling weakly. "I-I was just wondering…C-can I tag along? I mean…since were both heading the same way…"

Igni trilled with joy. Finally! His master was going to make a friend, and without him urging her on!

The pale girl shrugged once again. "Do you mind silence?"

"U-um, excuse me?"

"I mean, do you mind being around a silent person?"

She shook her head hesitantly. "I'm n-not much of a talker e-either."

"My Murkrow is a bit weird too. You might be bothered by him." Said Murkrow cawed and gave his master a soft peck on the head. She could be so rude sometimes! "Ow."

Lucy tried to stifle a giggle at the bird's antics. "N-no, I don't mind…"

"Then sure." Although her response was lacking enthusiasm, a smile still grew on Lucy's face. A bit of an awkward smile, yes, but a smile nevertheless.

"Okay, let's get through Cherrygrove fast so I can hunt for ghost pokemon in Violet," she said as she increased her walking pace. The corners of Lucy's smile drooped as Gwyn's words sank in.

"W-wait, what?" She squeaked a bit as she blanched. "G-ghost pokemon?"

Igni chirped unsurely as she glanced up to Lucy. This was going to be a very strange friendship for his master.