The three went out of the room and down the stairs, where they were met with Aster's mother.

"Good evening, Aster!" she said.

"Hey, mom." Aster replied.

"Ah, and Bianca and Cheren are here, too!" she said.

"Hello, Aster's mom!" Bianca said.

"Good evening, Mrs Grey." Cheren said

"Hello, Bianca and Cheren." Alice replied. "So, have you three enjoyed yourselves?"

"Yes, we did very much." Cheren replied.

Aster and Bianca nodded in agreement.

"I can tell!" Alice said, smiling. "I could hear all your Pokemon cries from down here!"

"Yeah, but now my room's a mess." Aster said in a slightly sulky voice. He pointed at Bianca quickly, and, with his tone changing immediately, he said "It was her fault, I swear!"

"Huh? M-me?" Bianca said, putting her hands in the air in defence.

"We're really sorry about all the trouble, ma'am." Cheren said, bowing a bit." What with all the mess."

"Please forgive us, mom!" Aster said.

"Well, um... we can clean up?" Bianca said.

"Cleaning up? No worries. I can take care of it later." Alice said. "Shouldn't you be on your way to meet Professor Juniper?"

"Yes, thank you!" Cheren said, relieved that he didn't have to clean. "Please excuse us."

"You sound awfully happy..." Bianca said.

"Let's go thank Professor Juniper. I'll be waiting in front of the Pokemon Research Lab." Cheren said, ignoring her comment.

At that, he walked out the door, with Bianca in tow.

"My, my, Aster. Pokemon battles are so lively, aren't they?" Alice said, once the only ones in the room were Aster and herself.

"I guess I agree." Aster said.

"Indeed! I could hear their cries clear down here!" Alice said. "That sure reminded me of my first Pokemon battle!"

"Hey, what was your first battle like, anyway?" Aster asked.

"My companion was a Patrat. It was against Juniper herself!" she said. "Sadly, I lost."

"Aww, that's bad." Aster replied.

"Oh, and you know? After a battle, you need to rest your Pokemon." she said.

Aster held out Tepig's Pokeball, and Alice held out her hands. Then, a bright light covered the whole room, and Aster covered his eyes. He heard a little tune play as well.

Once he was done, she gave him his ball back.

"Your Pokemon is looking great!" Alice said.

"Thanks, mom." he said. "But, how did you do that?"

"I trained as a nurse for a few years." she said. "Now, if you're going out, don't forget your Xtransceiver!"

She handed him a device that was a mix between a cellphone and a watch. He took it and put it on his wrist.

"You're going to thank the professor too, right?" Alice asked. Aster nodded. "Better get going, honey!"

"Alright. See you later, Mom!" Aster replied.

"Goodbye, Aster!" his mother replied. Aster walked out the door and closed it behind him, looking around.

His house was located directly in between Bianca's, which was to the left, and Cheren's, which was to the right. Going a little northwest would bring him to the Pokemon Research Lab, which is precisely what he did.

Meanwhile, Cheren and Bianca were waiting outside the Lab.

"Oh, wait!" Bianca said. "I have to go home first!"

"Seriously? What for?" Cheren asked.

"I... I just need to speak to my parents about something, first." Bianca replied.

"Alright, you do that. I'll just be standing here." Cheren said.

Bianca nodded and walked off to her house. Cheren just stood there not doing anything, until a Woobat slammed straight into his chest.

"Ow! What the?" he said, looking at the dazed bat-like creature. It flew away, screeching loudly, then Aster came.

"Cheren, you're early! Colour me surprised!" Aster said. "But where's Bianca?"

"She said she went to go speak to her parents." Cheren replied. "Hey, since you're here, can you do me a favour?"

"What is it?" Aster asked.

"Could you go to Bianca's house? I bet she's spacing out like she usually does. She's totally flighty." Cheren replied.

"What? Why can't you do it?" Aster asked. "You clearly care about this more than I do, so it only makes sense if you do it."

"... Alright then." Cheren said.

"Thanks!" Aster said. "And tell her I said hi!"

"Will do." Cheren said.

He went to Bianca's house, while Aster took his place, and got attacked by a Woobat.

"Ow! Wha- why? Just why?" Aster said.

At Bianca's house, Cheren knocked on the door, and a tall woman with an uncanny resemblance to Bianca answered.

"Hello, Mrs... um... I'm sorry, what's your surname again?" Cheren said.

"We're the Agnella family." she said. "But I forgive you for your mistake."

"May I go see your daughter?" he asked.

"Ordinarily, yes, but she's having a conversation with her father right now." Bianca's mother replied.

"No, no, a thousand times, NO!" Mr Agnella's booming voice could be heard from where Cheren was standing.

"But, I'm... I'm a good trainer! I got a Pokemon and everything!" was Bianca's timid response. "I can totally go on an adventure!"

"What nonsense is this?" her father roared. "My daughter who knows nothing about the world, going on a journey with Pokemon?"

"But.. Going on a journey... Isn't that a good way to learn about the world?" Bianca said.

"Hmm... you have a point..." he said." Alright. I'll let you go for now."

"Oh, thank you SO much, dad!" she said.

"But, if I ever change my mind, I WILL hunt you down." her father replied. "Understood?"

Bianca nodded quickly.

"Good. For now, though, I guess this is goodbye." he said.

"I'll, uh, try to keep in touch!" Bianca said.

"That's a good girl." he said.

She ran out the door, only to crash into Cheren. He stumbled backwards.

"Bianca, seriously?" he said.

"Oh, uh, hello, Cheren!" Bianca replied. "You... you didn't hear what just happened, right?"

"Not a word." Cheren lied.

"O-oh! That's a relief!" she said.

"Aster says hi, by the way." he replied. Bianca nodded.

The two walked to Juniper's lab, where Aster was being tortured by a swarm of Woobat.

"Ow, ow! By Arceus, leave me alone!" he whimpered, as they kept slamming into him from all directions.

"Hello, Aster!" Bianca said.

"Aster, what's going on?" Cheren asked.

"Oh, hey guys." Aster replied. "As you can see, I've been ambushed!"

"I don't know whether to help you or just stand here and laugh." Cheren said.

"Help me!" Aster said. "Help. Me."

"Have you tried shouting at them?" Bianca asked.

"Yes, I have!" Aster said. "Strangely, that doesn't work on Pokemon who don't have ears!"

"Well... how about using Tepig?" Bianca asked.

"I tried that! Oh, trust me, I did!" Aster said.

"Then what happened?" Cheren asked.

"Look at the Pokeball on the ground." Aster said. "That has Tepig inside. Before I could pick it up, I was swarmed by a squad of oculathoraxes!"

"Actually, that's its nose." Cheren said.

"Shut up and help me!" Aster yelled.

"Alright, then." Cheren said. "Oshawott, I choose you!"

"Snivy, let's go!" Bianca said.

...

After the Woobat had been taken care of, the two helped Aster back onto his feet.

"Thanks, guys." he said. "I knew I could count on you."

"No problem!" Bianca said, doing a little curtsy.

"OK." Cheren said. "Let's go meet the professor."

The three went into the Pokemon Lab, and it was definitely much bigger on the inside than the outside. It was a typical science lab, with many assistants in lab coats. And, waiting for them, near the wall, was Professor Juniper herself.

"Hi there! I've been waiting for you young people!" she said.

"Why'd you emphasise the 'young' part?" Aster asked.

"My name is-"

"Professor Juniper?" said Cheren. "We know your name already."

"Come, come, Cheren! This is not a time to take things lightly. Today is a day to remember always, so it's best to behave with some formality." Juniper replied.

"Ah, my apologies." Cheren said, bowing slightly.

"Apology accepted." she said. "That being so, once again, my name is Professor Juniper, and I am researching when and how the creatures called Pokemon came into existence."

She then took a moment to examine their Pokeballs.

"Oh, that's unusual! You've already had a Pokemon battle! So maybe that's why... It feels as though your Pokemon have already begun to trust you!"

"Well, that's great to hear!" Aster said.

"As for why I gave you the Pokemon..."

"It's for the Pokedex, right?" Cheren said.

"I am astonished. Nice work, Cheren! You have already studied Pokémon extensively, haven't you?" Juniper said. Cheren nodded proudly in response.

"Still, let me explain everything from the beginning, for everyone's sake." the Professor said. "The Pokédex is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokémon you encounter! So, I want you three to visit many places and meet all of the Pokémon in the Unova region!"

"Hmm... sounds interesting..." Aster said.

"This is my request. Aster! Cheren! Bianca! You'll go on an adventure to complete the Pokédex, will you not?"

"Of course." Cheren said, getting down on one knee like a knight. "It would be my honour."

"Why are you acting like that, Cheren?" Bianca asked. Cheren got up without a word.

"Anyway, it's a yes from me, too!" Bianca said.

"...no." Aster said.

"No? Why?" Bianca asked.

"It sounds like hard work." Aster said with a shrug. "I'm not cut out for that kind of stuff."

"Here is what I need from you! What I want to hear are the courageous words of people who will blaze new paths around the world!" she said.

"Huh. When you put it like that..." Aster said.

"I want you three to travel to many distant places and meet all of the Pokémon in the Unova region!" Juniper continued.

"Alright, I've changed my mind!" Aster said. "I'll join you!"

"How steadfast of you." Cheren said, rolling his eyes.

"All of you, thanks!" Juniper said. "You have given me the best answer possible!"

"No problem!" the three of them said, with varying levels of enthusiasm.

"Next, I need to teach you how to meet Pokemon for yourselves." she said. "Please meet me at Route 1, OK?"

The professor walked out of the lab. Bianca turned to Aster.

"S-since the professor asked us, it's OK to go on an adventure, right?" she said. "I can explore and maybe find out what I want to do in life. I think I'd like that."

"That sounds nice." Aster said, smiling. "So, the ideal you want to pursue... is to find out what ideals you want to pursue."

"Pretty much!" Bianca said with a shrug.

Aster nodded and turned to Cheren.

"Finally... I can become a Pokemon Trainer." Cheren said. "I'll have real battles with other Trainers and get stronger. Wait and see!"

"Cheren?" Aster said. "Who are you talking to?"

"Huh? You heard that?" Cheren said. "Uh... pay no attention..."

"Well, guys? You ready to go?" Bianca asked. Cheren and Aster nodded.

"Yep." Aster said. "Let's go."

The three walked out of the Pokemon Lab, where they were met with Aster's mother, Alice.

"Oh, there you are!" Alice said.

"Hey, Mom!" Aster replied.

"And..? What did the Professor have to say? She asked you to complete the Pokédex?! I can't believe it!" she continued. "...Well, actually I can. I already knew she was going to ask. That's why I brought you three of these Town Maps. Take them with you!"

She handed her son a map of the Unova region. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

"Here you are, Cheren. And one for you too Bianca." she said, passing the others maps as well.

"Th-thank you so much!" Bianca said.

"I'll take good care of it." Cheren said.

"As for your room, Aster- or what's left of it... No need for any of you to worry. I'll take care of tidying up. OK, Aster?"

"Alright! Thanks, Mom!" Aster replied.

"Ah, Pokémon. They are so cute, but they have enough power to destroy a bedroom! They really are something." Alice mused. "With Pokémon like that at your side, you'll be safe wherever you go! I'll let your parents know! I hope that, in addition to Pokémon, you'll find lots and lots of places you like in the Unova region—and become wonderful adults! Have a great trip!"

"We will, Mrs Grey!" Bianca said.

Alice headed over to her house to clean up.

"If I use this Town Map, I'll always know where I am... That's certainly helpful." Cheren said. "Shall we head to Route 1? The professor's waiting."

"Let's go, let's go!" she said. "Aster, hurry and come too, OK?"

"Will do." Aster nodded. Bianca and Cheren ran off in the direction of Route 1.

"Huh? Hey, guys! Wait for me!" he called out, running after them.

To be continued in Chapter 3.