1Chapter 3.

Ow. Ow. Ow. I am really going to have to buy a helmet, because this girl has the aim of a tree. We're sitting out in a clearing, eating the same old sandwiches. I really miss Brock's cooking.

"Sorry Ash!" That girl hits me again.

"Pika!" She just hit Pikachu.

"Sorry Pikachu!"

Then a Pokemon comes out of the bushes. It looks like a seed.

"OOH, IT'S SO CUTE! What is it?" She takes her Pokedex out and it says.

"Budew, the bud Pokemon. It lives along clear ponds. It scatters pollen that induces harsh sneezing and runny noses."

"I just have to have it. Piplup, take the stage!" She throws her Pokeball, and out comes her little blue penguin Pokemon.

"Um...Use Bubble!" The little penguin's beak lights up and bubbles fly out of it. They hit the little Pokemon right on target and it's knocked out.

"Pokeball go!" She throws the Pokeball, and it surprisingly doesn't hit me! It rolls around a few times, but she caught it. Impressive for her first time.

She picks it up and starts dancing.

"I DID IT! I did it, I did it, I caught a Budew!" She looks at it and smiles. "Alright, Budew, come on out!" She throws the Pokeball, and shock, it hits me on the head.

Here I am. Sitting in Professor Elm's lab. Waiting. This feels really familiar. One of his assistants smile at me.

"Don't worry, he should be here any minute."

"Ok, I'll just step outside."

I go outside and release Blaziken from its Pokeball.

"Blazi, Blaziken."

"Blaziken, I've been thinking, perhaps you should go back to Hoenn. I mean, we've been through everything together, but I know that you're tired and must need a break."

Blaziken nodded in agreement.

"So, do we agree?"

"Ken!"

"Cool."

As I walked inside, the assistant was trying to feed a Chikorita, but it wouldn't budge from the corner it was hiding in. The assistant sighed in frustration.

"Could I try?" I stick my hand out to take the food he has in his hand.

"Go ahead, but this little Chikorita is afraid of everything, and everyone. I don't know how it will ever get a trainer if it's too afraid to leave the corner, let alone the Pokeball."

"Well, I still want to try."

He gives me the food and moves out of the way. I kneel down to the little Pokemon's level.

"Here you go little one, don't be afraid."

The small Pokemon sniffs my hand, and takes the food. It smiles at me, then jumps into my lap.

"It seems that the little Pokemon likes you." Professor Elm looks at the Pokemon snuggling against me. "It has never done that to anyone."

"Hello, I'm May." I stick my hand out to shake it.

"Professor Elm." He shakes my hand.

"I was wondering if I could return my Blaziken back to Hoenn."

"The machine is over there." He points to a large contraption.

"Thank you." I try to put the Chikorita down, but it won't let me.

"Strangest thing." Professor Elm scratches his chin.

Still holding the Chikorita, I put Blaziken's Pokeball in the machine.

"How would you like to keep that Chikorita?"

"Huh?"

"Well it seems to be very attached to you, so take it."

"But I couldn't..."

"Why not? You just sent your only Pokemon across the ocean, so I don't see why not!" I look down at the Chikorita.

"What do you say? Want to travel with me?"

"Chiko!"

"I'll take that as a yes!" Professor Elm hands me Chikorita's Pokeball.

"Hey, aren't you a coordinator?" The assistant takes a piece of paper from his desk.

"Yeah."

"Well there's a contest in Cherrygrove Town in about a week." He hands me a piece of paper with all the details.

"Where is Cherrygrove Town?" I look at the sheet of paper.

"It's just west of here, you can't miss it."

"Well then, I guess that's where I'm headed. I need to start catching some Pokmon!"

"Chiko!" Chikorita jumps out of my lap and starts spinning in circles. Everyone laughs.

We're walking, headed towards Oreburgh town. I hear that's where the first gym is. This girl loves to burst out into random song! It's so annoying!

This will be a long trip.