The following two days went by quickly, Julia learned very little about Charmander. Who most of the time lead the way on their journey. He spoke just as much as he had on the first day, which wasn't much.

"Ahhhh..."

Julia let out a loud sigh, getting to have a well deserved break from walking since fresh of dawn. Removing her shoes and allowing her feet to catch some air. Charmander took a seat on a stone not that far from Julia. But the Pokemon was keeping a watch. They were far from Pallet Town, so naturally more wild pokemon would be moving about.

"How long until the next town?"

Julia asked, using every moment she could to try and chat with her pokemon. While in most cases she got the cold shoulder, this was not one of them.

"We should reach Viridian City tomorrow."

Charmander still kept his answer neat and short. His sharp eyes scanned the waving grass about them. Any pokemon could be lurking in there. At least by the looks Charmander was giving to the turf.

But Julia was feeling safer with her partner around, even if she was having no luck in bonding with him.

"Would you like anything?"

she asked, going to dig through her bag for some snack to keep her strength up. "Water." was the answer she got. Turning around, Julia reached for her back bag. Which was all of the sudden pulled into the tall grass around them!

"Charmander! Someone took my bag!"

The trainer yelled, pulling her shoes back on. Charmander was faster, he was on his feet and running through the grass. Their food was in the bag, so losing it was not an option for the two.

Julia followed his suit, able to spot that tail fire much further. She lacked the speed Charmander had. But having the guts and determination to keep on running. Even when Julia could feel the burn rise in her lungs. Tasting metallic.

Her partner didn't even glance behind himself. Charmander was solely focusing on catching this rotten thief. From the corner of his eyes, Charmander could see a different path. That would give him the advantage over this hard terrain. Hopping to a higher ground and keeping on pursuit.

From the distance Julia could spot her partner, he was closing on the thief. Whose lilac tail kept waving in the tall grass. That curly tip was familiar to Julia. She had seen it before, she was certain of it.

Charmander took one last spurt, his flaming red hair easily giving away his position on the higher ground. Making it easy for Julia to spot him. Charmander took a mighty leap. He landed before the thief and cutting his escape route efficiently.

His sharp, stern eyes fixed on the culprit who had no where to run. With Julia catching up with the two, the thief was surrounded.

"Who ever you are, please, hand back my bag."

Julia said, her voice having a bit sternness.

"You know who it is, didn't you learn your lesson before?"

Charmander growled, the look on his face hardened and annoyed at this inconvenience. So Julia had been right, she had recognized that curly tail from somewhere. Gasping a little, she recognized that fluffy lilac hair as well!

"Rattata!"

Julia huffed, why was he here again? The trainer felt a little bit better about her situation this time, with Charmander here.

"Tch..."

was all the Rat Pokemon said, trying way too obviously look for a way out of this situation. A bit of a cocky smirk rose to Charmander's lips as he took a step forwards to the Rat. His eyes not leaving the pesky pokemon that was still holding onto Julia's bag.

The last time he had tried to get her Pokeballs and pokedex, was the rat after the same items once more.

"Give my bag back and we'll let you go."

Julia said after a silence of no one moving or saying anything. Rattata was surprised, but so was Charmander as well. Who was not approving this his trainer's decision.

"What are you babbling? He stole from you? And will most certainly do it again."

Charmander voiced his opinion, not holding back the least. Julia was a little taken back by his sharp tone towards her. But she too could stand her ground, and seeing no reason in hurting Rattata if he was willing to hand her bag back.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Charmander. And nothing happened."

Julia pointed out. She was not feeling that comfortable arguing about these things before a stranger. Her words weren't the ones Charmander wanted hear, his attention fixed on his trainer now.

"Nothing happened? I had to chase him and cut off his path. Last time who knows what could have happened to you!"

His eyes were flaring up, his tail moving about angrily. Julia felt shrinking back, being faced with such fire and anger. The back of her mind reminding how she would have none of these problems with Squirtle or Bulbasaur. Had she only woken up early, her trip would have been much more pleasant.

But those two weren't her partners, Charmander was. And she would have to get used to it, even if they were a bit ill matched. She needed to accept her partner, even when she was faced with his anger.

The Fire breathing lizard was quiet, waiting for Julia to say something, anything! Or show a sign that she understood how much in danger she had been last time. She couldn't go easy on these wild pokemons, especially the likes of Rattata. Who lived on stealing and taking advantage of trainers.

"Are these the two, Rattata?"

A foul stench filled the air, Charmander gripped his nose and looked behind himself. Where three Pokemon stood, the trio having snuck up on the pickering couple. And were now slowly creeping, cirling around them. Rattata smirked victoriously, pulling the bag over his shoulder.

The foul stench came from a short, chubby Pokemon, who wore purple sweater and same colored pants. With bright red hair wild on top of his head. Gloom.

The second one had blue jeans on, with white top and swirly print on it. The top showed his muscular upper body. Poliwhirl.

The last one was armored from head to toe in mustard yellow armor. His eyes sharp and keeping them on Julia. Kakuna.

Rattata sneaked from between the two and moved to join his small gang.

"Yes, the flaming one hurt me."

The rat squeeked, pointing at Charmander. Who instinctively pulled Julia behind him, glaring at the gang surrounding them. There was no point in telling Julia to run, she remained close to Charmander. Not sure what to do, they were out numbered.

"Charmander..." Julia whispered, her hand on his back. Damn it, in her bad she would have had something. Maybe something to create a diversion or to somehow give Charmander an edge over the group. But her bag was on Rattata's shoulder and he didn't look like he was going to give it up any time soon.

The best course of action was a surprise. Charmander pulled his lung full of air and shot a fire ball at Kakuna. To at the very least remove one of the Wild pokemons.

"UGH!"

Charmander groaned, being doused in water. Poliwhirl had seen through his surprise and stopped them before the Fire type had a chance to do it. Being drenched, his tail flame surviving thankfully.

Julia raised her fist, going to fight too. She had no experience, but she would be damned if she would leave all of this to Charmander.

"HAHAHA... look at her!"

Rattata snorted, pointing at Julia with a snicker. She was visibly shaking, but not lowering her fists. No matter how much they would laugh at her attempts, she would fight too!

A wet, much larger hand was placed atop of her smaller ones. Charmander pushed her hands down, his eyes burning as he looked at Poliwhirl.

"Charmander?"

Julia asked, looking up at him. But she received no answer, only getting to see his strong back. Having his trainer securely behind him. Julia nodded, lowering her hands, but sticking close to her partner.

"Hmph, you still going to fight? You should just roll on your back and surrender."

Gloom snorted, smirking to his buddies. This would be easy. But Charmander didn't back down, instead standing even taller than before.

"Give her BAG back."

Charmander growled, glaring at Rattata.

"And what? You'll let us go?"

The Rat snickered, the gang laughed as well.

"No I won't. I just don't want it broken along with your face."

The fire type smirked a bit smugly, but that was possibly the wrong move. Rattata was not laughing, and Gloom and Poliwhirl were advancing on Charmander.

Charmander took the charge, bouncing on Gloom. Whose stink hadn't become any easier to Charmander. Poliwhirl was quickly pulling Charmander off of his buddy. But the fire type was not remaining still. Landing a punch on Poliwhirl's jaw and getting free.

"Ugh!"

Charmander groaned, Rattata had bitten on his fiery tail. And the two others weren't far behind.

"CHARMANDER!"

Julia yelled, seeing her precious partner in the middle of the fight. Kakuna placed his hand on her shoulder, warning her not to go there. Biting her lower lip, not sure what to do. How she could help.

A large shadow swept past the Pokemons, making the gang stop and look about them. The sky was clear, there were no cloud on the blue sky above them. So what had created the shadow.

"Oh no, Run!"

Rattata screeched, dropping the bag and being the first to take off. Julia turned towards the shadow that kept coming closer and closer to them. But the sun was behind it, it was hard to tell what it was exactly.

Poliwhirl and Gloom looked at each other before they as well took off. Kakuna had disappeared somewhere as well.

"Charmander."

Julia gasped, moving over to her partner that was quite beaten up.

"Get behind me."

Charmander growled, weakly pushing the trainer behind him. And for a good reason since the next moment a large pokemon had landed before them. Large wing sprouting from his back, a few scars here and there. The pokemon was no newbie to fighting obviously. A pink, wild hair on his head and hawk like eyes. He crossed his arms over his sand colored shirt. Looking at the pair before him.

"You still willing to fight?"

came an amused chuckle between the pokemon's lips. There was kindness in his eyes, looking at the combo.

"Don't come any closer."

Charmander growled warningly, but he was panting. His clothes were a bit torn and he was in no condition to fight.

Pidgeotto chuckled, he picked up the bag from the ground. Charmander intensified his glare. But at this point he just might, MIGHT be willing to sacrifice the bag.

"Sorry, that is mine."

Julia said, taking a step forwards. Standing now besides Charmander.

"Here."

Pidgeotto said, throwing the bag easily at the trainer. Who almost fell over catching the heavy bag. This random act confused Charmander, who refused to move from Julia's side. Not until he would know what the bird pokemon was after.

"Thanks and thank you for driving the other away."

Julia on the other hand smiled kindly to Pidgeotto, who returned the bright smile. He took a few careful steps closer. But stopped when the glare from Charmander intensified to new limits.

"I am amazed of your loyalty, boy. But you are in condition to keep giving me such harsh glares. I am not here to fight you two."

Pidgeotto said, chuckling handsomely. Placing his hand on his hips, but not taking a step closer. Not wishing to aggravate Charmander any further. The fire pokemon was at his limits obviously.

"Then why are you here? I am sorry, but all the wild pokemons recently have been after us."

Julia kept on the conversation, she felt no fighting intent from the bird pokemon. Pidgeotto turned his warm eyes towards the new trainer.

"I spotted the fight from afar and I have been following Rattata and his gang for a while now. I don't like what he is doing and I do my best to interfere to stop such activities."

Pidgeotto said, not approving what that thieving gang was up to. It had also earned him a few scars, but it didn't look like they bothered him.

The air about the trio remained calm, and even Charmander finally relented, relaxing. He got up, sitting down a rock close by. Obviously trying his hardest not to show how injured he was.

"You two will never make it to Viridian City this injured."

Pidgeotto pointed out the harsh truth, it was still a days walk until Viridian City. And Rattata and his gang would be on the look out after this. Knowing Charmander to be badly injured.

"Pfft, why do you think we are heading there?"

Charmander asked, not liking the bird pokemon knowing where they were headed.

"I do not, I hope you are heading to the closest town. Or at least now try to head there."

Pidgeotto answered, his eyes scanned the injuries on Charmander. He would need to visit Pokemon Center to get patched up. Julia sat down besides her partner, taking a first aid kit from her bag.

"What should we do?"

She asked, they couldn't stay out here either, needing to try and make it to the closest town. Or their trip might end here.

"If you want, I can accompany You until then. I was planning on heading that way as well."

Pidgeotto suggested, not even glancing at the glaring fire type. Able to feel his stern eyes drilling holes at him for even daring to suggest such. While Julia's eyes brightened up, a smile made it's way to her lips.

"Thank you, we would be grateful for your help, Pidgeotto."

The trainer smiled, thanking the large bird pokemon that easily towered over the already tall Charmander. He threw a whistle to Julia.

"Blow to it if the gang or anyone else returns. I'll go and get us some dinner."

With that the mighty bird took to the skies, leaving the partner to tend their wounds for now. Charmander was in a need of a break, even if he was not going to admit it. Julia took a wipe, carefully taking hold of Charmander's arm. Cleaning his wounds carefully.

It was quiet once more, Charmander glaring before him. But for once he allowed her to tend to him. Not that the fire lizard looked like he was enjoying of this. The silenced kept on going, neither saying anything.

"Why did you invite him?"

Charmander finally asked, his eyes still having that glare in them. Julia was putting away her first aid kit, she lifted her eyes. Looking at her partner, was that what had been bothering him? But this was the first time Charmander actually showed interest in her. In a way.

"Because I don't our journey to come to an end yet, Charmander. You were injured from protecting me."

Julia said, not even needing to think the reason for that long. The answer seemed to be enough for Charmander, who was quiet until Pidgeotto returned. The group resting and eating, taking this moment to gather strength.