A Journey into the Unknown

Rose: Ahh.. Chapter 3. Which replacing chapter 2. Yeah it's confusing.

Luna: Hey, I just realized…

Rose: huh? What's up Luna?

Luna: How come you are always the first one to speak in the author's comments o3o

Rose: I dunno. I beat you to the punch?

Luna: fite me

Rose: you can go first if you beat me to it. KK?

Luna: Fine but don't say 'k'

Rose: Whatever you say.

Luna: You're making this way too long let's just get to the story.

Rose: Alrighty!

Black (POV)

Route 2 was home to a new Pokemon, the black cat Purrloin. The one I caught just happened to be a little… Sassy. I decided to give her the brilliant name of Devi. She liked it best out of all my suggestions, so I went with it. Now I was on my way to the next city, Striaton. After a quick heal at the Center and another small shopping trip at the Mart, I decided to head to the Dreamyard to train up my team of two. I didn't know anything about the first gym and I didn't want to go inside until I was ready!

Entering the Dreamyard was a bit… Foreboding. The fog was a little thick and the concrete walls loomed ominously over me. Devi clung to my pants and I could feel her claws on my skin. The first thing I thought was 'ow' since her claws were not dull. The next thing I heard was a voice yelling: "What do you think you're doing?!" That voice had sounded familiar until I realized that it was N's voice. Why is he here? I sighed, realizing I was right in thinking I would be seeing him more than I would like. Then it hit me. Why is he yelling? Did he get in trouble? What did he do? I shook my head. The easiest way to find out was to go towards where I heard him and find out myself. I looked down at Devi still clinging on for dear life and rolled my eyes. "Come on girl, walk beside me or climb up next to Oshi." She huffed and proceeds to climb up on my other shoulder. I rushed towards where I heard N's voice and saw him facing off against two people, dressed similarly to the guys at the speech in Accumula. Team… Plastic or whatever? Behind the two grunts was a small kid crying, holding an injured Lillipup close to him. Putting two and two together, I realized those people attacked the poor Pokemon and N was standing up for it.

With all the fog it was kinda hard to see, but they were arguing about something. Then N raised his voice and the two lackeys flinched and ran off, passing by me probably without even realizing it. The kid gave a quick thanks to N and ran off to get his Lillipup treated. I approached and green haired teen. He saw me almost immediately and looked at me questioningly.

"Black? What a pleasant coincidence. Have you come here to train before your gym battle?" He tilted his head at the second Pokeball on my belt but didn't make a remark, presumably because he saw Devi on my shoulder.

"I… Well yeah, I did. What was that all about?" I asked him, referring to what just happened. He sighed and shook his head. "They were hurting that Pokemon and I told them to scram. Honestly how could they… But enough about that. You here for the gym as well. Would you like me to show you where it is?" He asked politely. I blinked, realizing in truth I had no idea where it was. I've never even seen a gym before. I guess a guide there would be nice. After a quick nod from me, he lead me to the edge of the Dreamyard, which looked less foreboding now that the fog was clearing up. He walked into town and pointed out a building that looked more like a cafe.

"The leader you will be facing uses normal and grass type pokemon. I suggest you prepare yourself one last time before challenging it. A helpful note is that all gyms can be recognized from the outside, since every gym has a set of statues in front of the entrance, to mark that a gym's inside. The guide can explain the rest. I have to take my leave now. See you later, Black." After giving a small wave, he left towards the building next door, which my first guess was a school of sorts. Maybe I could check it out later. But for now, it was time to start my gym challenge. Surely my team was ready, since right after N left I took a dash to the yard once again for a long training session. I stepped through the door and was greeted by a man with gray hair and sunglasses.

"Yo, champ in the making! Welcome to the Striaton City Gym! The puzzle to this place is easy. You'll see a curtain with a type on it. You say the type that it's weak against, and you move on! There are also a few trainers around too, to test if your ready for the gym leaders! All three have a Lillipup, but their second Pokemon will be the type your starter is weak against, so for you, since you chose Oshawott, it'll be a pansage, a grass type! Good luck!"

With that, I was left on my own, with a curtain and three huge buttons on the ground. I chose the right button, and the curtain rolled open, revealing a waitress.

"Are you here for the main course, a battle with a gym leader? Why don't you have an entree battle first!" She was only a little difficult. After beating her in a battle, she stood aside, showing me another curtain and three more buttons. Right button was pressed and now there was a waiter.

"Are you ready for a splendid battle with the gym leader? Why don't you get through me first!" Another battle. Another victory, only this time, he had something to say afterwards. "Cilan! One battle lou de aqua!" With that, he left, leaving one last button puzzle, which was terribly easy to solve. There, on a stage, was a green haired man wearing a bartender uniform, with bright green eyes, watching me with a nervous smile.

"Hello challenger! My name is Cilan, and I am one of the gym leaders here! Let's see if you can whip up a fierce battle!" With that, my first gym battle commenced.

Overall, it was mildly difficult, but Oshimurai and Devi got it done! I was gifted with the Trio Badge, and a TM called Work Up. Stowing both away in their own spots in my bag, I headed out of the gym with my head held high. After all, I already took a huge step! I got my first ever gym badge! Once I got outside, I saw a certain teen sitting at a bench by the gym. When he noticed I was staring, he gave a gentle smile and stood, walking over to me.

N (POV)

"Black. Pleasure to see you again. How did your gym challenge go?" I looked at both of his tired, but very happy Pokemon, and I guessed the result. But he seemed to still want to tell me. "We got the Trio Badge!" With an excited grin, he pulled out his badge case and showed it to me.I smiled. "That's wonderful news. I hear the next gym is in Nacrene City. The gym leader there supposedly uses normal types."

He concentrated for a moment before asking, "Hey N? Were you waiting out here for me?" He looked up at me, and I showed a little smile. "Actually I was wondering if you wanted to meet up at a cafe in Nacrene City." I put my fingers to my chin, trying to find the proper word for it that I heard people say to one another "The term for it is… a 'date'?" That comment made the boy's eyes widen and his face flush. Was that not the right term for it afterall?

After an explanation of how, no, date was not the right term, and just 'hanging out' was more appropriate especially for guys, I then offered to join him on the path to Nacrene, which he accepted, still somewhat embarrassed about before. While we walked down route 3, I started some small talk.

"Are you aiming to become Champion?" He thought for a second before giving me his reply. "I have not even thought about that… I just want to become the best trainer I can be. What about you?" Me…? I just wanted to make Pokemon be happy. I guess the best answer would be… "I'm just helping my father and his colleagues with their goal."

"Oh, well that's nice of you." His face fell slightly. "I bet it's something really cool like helping him build up his company or something." He looked at me with curiosity. "...Is it ok to ask wha-" he stopped short and looked back ahead. "Nevermind." I was confused on what he was about to ask but decided to leave it alone. "Don't you spend a lot of time with your father?" The boy gave a 'heh' and shook his head "Nah, it's mostly just been my mom and I. I help her clean and cook. But at least I get to play my video games on days that she's out."

We continued walking until I stopped to look at the two buildings up the steps. The Pre-School for humans and the Day-Care for Pokemon right next to it. The Day-Care for Pokemon somewhat bothered me because I knew what it was really used for.

"Something wrong N?" I heard the boy ask, he followed my eyes and stared at the buildings, I guess he had no idea what they were. There were children playing on the playground in the Pre-School and he watched them. "Man, I have not been here forever, everything looks so different yet so similar. I can't believe I've forgotten this route." I raised an eyebrow, so he does know around here afterall. I looked up at the sky, orange sky and pink clouds, it was getting late in the afternoon. I nudged the staring boy and said we needed to keep going. He agreed as we continued forward. A few trainers were in our path so I walked swiftly ahead to avoid seeing the battles, of course I did this after informing Black that I will be up ahead. I ended up at the bridge over the water and sat down, letting my legs dangle off the edge, I watched the water Pokemon swim around and one of them even swam to the surface to greet me.

"Hello there my friend, how's the water?" I chuckled a bit as the Pokemon, Basculin Blue gave a small snap of it's mouth and dive back into the water, giving me a splash of cool water on my face. I heard footsteps approaching and I turned my head and saw Black, slightly panting and noticed that both of his pokemon were not on his shoulders or head like usual, they must be in the pokeballs… Silly things they are really, how can they possibly be comfortable in there? I thought more into the situation. Maybe they are best if the pokemon are really weak and tired… Ahhh forget it. I stood up and looked at the boy who was looking at me weirdly. Must have been thinking for myself for too long…

"Uhhh, should we get going then?" He asked with a slight hint of shyness.I nodded. "Let's move on then. If we hurry we should be in the City before nightfall-"

Before the words finished coming out of my mouth, I heard a sharp cry near the Wellspring Cave. That made Black jump up in panic and give out a yelp. Then I heard the cries. The Pokemon was called Blitzle, and it was suffering by… Evil people dressed in gray? I had a bad feeling about who it was referring to. "IT'S TEAM PLASTIC," was all Black could yell and literally I wanted to run away when those words escaped his mouth. I facepalmed. Did… He honestly call Team Plasma… Team Plastic? Just… That was amazing all in was quite endearing… In an adorable way. Wait… What?

Luna: HAH I GOT TO IT FIRST

Rose: so yeah. The rest of this is being continued in the next chapter. Joy.

Luna: We have so much fun writing we sorta lose track of how much we actually written and then have trouble finding out a way to end.

Rose: Pretty much. We'll finish the last bit of this later, we promise! And maybe finish it off without needing to cliffhanger xD

Luna: 'Later' meaning right now

Rose: Oh yeah. See everyone in a few hours! xD Buh bye!

Luna: This'll be fun.