"Swellow! Do you see anything yet?" We have been walking far too long. It's been at least three days since we left Livonia City. Hoder told us to go West. I wish he would have told us how far. We were starting to get low on food and water. I have no idea how many more days we can travel on the rations that we have left. I was beginning to consider turning back for Livonia City.

Swellow looked down at me and shook us head. He still did not see a city.

"Okay Swellow. Thanks. Return and take a rest." I had Swellow return to his Pokeball for a well deserved rest. He was flying point for us for at least six hours.

I checked the time and saw it was 5 o'clock in the evening. I figured it was best for us to find a place to make camp. I have no tent, so we need to find shelter. If we cannot find one, we will build one.

I looked on both sides of the road that we were walking on to try to deduce the best place to start searching. To the north of the path, I saw nothing but sky. To the south I could see some mountains. I figured it would be best to try going south in hopes of finding a river or stream to replenish our water supply. And if we found water, we may be able to find a few fruit trees. We need to cover ground quickly. I would hate to make Swellow fly again, so I will use my foot soldiers for this task.

"Gible, Houndoom, and Heracross! Come on out!" The three Pokeballs opened for my companions, and they all looked at me, waiting for their orders.

"Heracross, I want you to check that tree line over there. If you find any fruit trees, come back and let me know. Also, try to gather as much firewood as possible. We will make camp soon. Houndoom, I need you to go check those rocks over there to see if there are any good places for us to make a shelter. Make sure you sniff out any threats that may be in the area. If all is good, leave some burn marks in the grass for us to follow so we can find you. Now, both of you, if you find any trouble, run back to me. We will not fight alone. We will fight together! Gible, we need to go find some water!"

The three Pokemon accepted their tasks with a prideful roar. Houndoom dashed across the open field towards some fallen rocks blasting the ground to leave a trail. Heracross opened her wings and dashed just off the ground to go inspect the trees. When she got there, I noticed her toss out branches for our firewood. She is a quick worker.
There is no job that cannot be done.

"Okay Gible, let's go find some water!"

"Gible!"

We split the difference between Houndoom and Heracross to search. We noticed some ground that was lower than the rest, so we both figured it would be the best place to start looking. We walked for about ten minutes before we realized there was no rivers or streams.

"Dang, okay Gible, let's turn back and look for Houndoom's trail. I do not think there is any water here."

Gible looked at me and shook his head. I do not know why he would think I was wrong. We can clearly see the mountains. There are no rivers, streams, or waterfalls that we could see off the sides of them. My Pokemon is up to something, I am not sure just what it is yet. He gestured at me to follow him. So, I decided to let him lead. We walked for a few more minutes until we got to a bowl shaped area of the ground. Gible started pointing to it and started jabbering very cheerfully.

"Ha, well Gible, I guess if there was rain coming, this would be ideal. But I hate to break it to you buddy, this is bone dry."

Gible shook his head once again and walked into the middle of the bowl. He held up his Captain's C, jumped straight up, and landed head first on the ground.

"Gible, there is no water there! It's not a swimming pool! I think you are a little delusional. Return and take a..." I stopped talking when I realized what was happening. Gible was using Dig!

"Oh wow! You learned Dig! Good job buddy!"

But he kept digging and digging. I was beginning to wonder if he was going to try to Dig to the center of the Earth. Then I heard is voice start to echo in a victorious manner. It began to get closer and closer until he popped out from the ground with a rushing geyser of water right behind him. The water filled up the Earthen bowl. Gible made his own swimming hole with his new found power.

"Gible! You found water! Wow, I don't know what to say! Okay buddy, let's fill the canteens and water bottles and go find the others!"

Walking back, we found Houndoom's fire tracks. We followed them up to the stones that I sent him to, and we found the others. Heracross was moving boulders to finish the shelter. Houndoom was building the fire with all the firewood Heracross brought back. Then I noticed that the branches Heracross brought back were filled with apples!
Houndoom was picking them off before he threw the branches on the burn pile.

What a team I have! In less than an hour, three of my Pokemon were able to find food, water, and shelter! It probably would have taken me until morning to finish all these tasks.

As the sun went down, I had all four of my Pokemon eating and relaxing on some bedding of old weeds for their comfort. I was boiling the water on the fire Houndoom made for us. We had a great view. Our shelter faced the mountains which were right below the star laden sky. The shelter Heracross built was more than enough room for the five of us. She walled off the side to the north with two boulders, and and then made a roof with another boulder on two columns of rocks. I would need a forklift to be able to move those rocks an inch.

"Team, you guys are amazing! There is no way I could have done all this by myself! Eat as much as you guys want! There is plenty and you guys earned it! I am going to get some rest now. Hopefully tomorrow we can find some sort of civilization." I then rolled over and went to sleep.

I woke up an hour or so before dawn. I turned to see all four of my Pokemon sleeping together. I was amazed at the bond that they had. You could see the friendship they had for each other even when they were asleep. Heracross was on her back with Gible nuzzled up against her side. Houndoom slept with his head on Heracross's shoulder. Swellow was perched on Houndoom's back. Heracross made all this room for us, and the four of them took one quarter of it to leave me the other three quarters! Pokemon sure are strange creatures.

I got up quietly to go stretch and to look for any people who were out for a run. There was no luck in my search. We were still alone.

"Man, we really need to find a town or something. If anything happens to any of us, there is nothing I can do! I rushed out of Livonia City ready for my next challenge not knowing what it was. Only today I realized it's not a Gym Battle. It's getting to the Gym Battle that is my next challenge! Hopefully at the very least we can find some berries."

That was the first time in my life that I ever talked to myself. I guess caring for others can really drive you crazy. Now I understand what my parents were talking about.

"Oh man! Mom and Dad! I have never called them! They have no idea what I am doing or if I am alive!"

Now I was feeling frustrated. I have four Pokemon to care for. I have no idea where the next town is. And on top of that, my parents probably think I am dead!

"Or maybe not. I have been gone for two weeks at the most without talking to them. The police would have found me by now. Oh man! I need to stop talking to myself! I sound crazy! Yes you do! You need to stop! Stop doing that! I'm trying! No you aren't! Shut up! Make me! I am going to hurt you! Bring it on!"

I slapped myself in the face to call my own bluff. It really hurt. I then turned around to see my four Pokemon with their eyes bulging straight out of there heads staring at me like I was stupid. They caught me in my moment of insanity. I was busted.

"Ah, don't pay any attention to that guys! It's early, and I haven't had caffeine in forever! But, since we are all up, why don't we continue on to Jennings Town?" I was now trying to save face with my Pokemon.

We all got up, went back to the road, and traveled together. We felt a sense of relief when the sunrise hit our backs. It was the little energy boost we needed to help us through the morning.

"SWELLOW! SWELLOW! SWELLOW!"

"Oh thank Arceus! Do you finally see something?"

Swellow didn't answer. He talked in his Poke-language again which I can hardly ever understand. Gible, Houndoom,
and Heracross got a shocked look on there face. The three of them ran off to hide, and Swellow dove into a tree.

"He guys what's going..."

I couldn't finish. Heracross wouldn't let me. She covered my mouth and tossed me twenty feet behind the rocks where Gible and Houndoom were hiding. She could of at least gave me a chance to land on my feet. Instead, I landed on my head.

"When I... regain feeling in... my legs... I am going to..." once again I was not allowed to finish. Houndoom used his Bite on the top of my head and under my jaw to keep me from talking. Now I wanted to cry. First, I beat myself up. Now my Pokemon are beating me up.

Gible then whispered at me. He and Heracross put there finger on their mouths to signal that I had to be quiet. I nodded to show them I understood. Houndoom finally released me from his Dark Jaws of Death. Gible then pointed towards the road. I peaked over the rock to see what looked like a small army of people dressed in long red trench coats riding on Rapidash. I have no idea who they are, but I think that my Pokemon do. They rode on without stopping. We waited until they got out of sight. The three Pokemon on the ground waited for Swellow to give us the all clear. After a few minutes, Swellow flew down to let us know we can come out.

"Do you guys know who those people were?" All four nodded. I found it strange that they knew to fear a group of people, and I have no idea who they are. Then I remembered that I am new to the area. They probably got their information through the Poketalk with other Pokemon I guess.

"Okay, well, let's just keep walking then team. Swellow, stay up at point. Houndoom if you smell anything, let us know."

It wasn't until around noon that Swellow signaled again. This time, instead of hiding, my three Pokemon on the ground let out a sigh of relief. I am guessing we have finally found civilization!

We walk up to a very small town. There was two houses and a PokeCenter. I walked in and handed my Pokemon to Nurse Joy so they could get treatment for all of their hard work. I then made a call that was a few days overdue.

"Hey Mom, Hey Dad! Sorry it took so long for me to call! Look! I have two Gym Badges!"

"I am so proud Teddy! Keep working hard!" My mother told me.

"Well done Teddy Ball Game! And don't apologize for taking so long to call! We understand you are having an adventure of a lifetime! We won't send the Police looking for you until about a month!" He was joking, but I was glad that I didn't worry them.

After we talked for a half hour or so, my parents had to run off. I told them I loved them and hung up. Then I went to the counter for information.

"Excuse me Nurse Joy, is this Jennings Town?"

"No, I am afraid not. This is only a rest area. There are a few people that live hear to keep up with the infrastructure. Jennings Town is about five miles west of here. Do you have a map of Arcadian?"

"No ma'am. Do you know where I can get one?"

"Tee hee, they are on the counter at every PokeCenter. Look to your right a little!"

Oh man, did I feel like an idiot! How could I have missed those maps! Ha, maybe I am going a little crazy!

"Oh wow, I don't know how I missed those! Thanks! By the way, I saw a group of people riding Rapidash and wearing red trench coats. Do you know who those people are?"

Nurse Joy's face turned so pale, I thought she saw a ghost.

"Are they headed here?"

"No ma'am, they were heading in Livonia City's direction"

"Please excuse me, I must alert Nurse Joy in Livonia!"

She ran to her phone and told the Nurse of Livonia. She hung up the phone and began to cry. She asked for a few moments to compose herself. When she was ready, she came back to talk to me.

"You are not from here are you Teddy?"

"No ma'am, I am from Johto. I had no idea who those people are, but my Pokemon did. They nearly broke me in half trying to hide me!"

"Those people are called The Purists. There are many branches of the group. The one you saw was the Fire Purists."

"Why are they called The Purists?"

"Well, most of them have won all the badges from different regions. Only one person has defeated all eight Leaders here in Arcadian. The way the gyms are run drives them crazy! They hate the fact that Pokemon can have extra types types and abilities. They believe it is unfair how the gyms here do not stick to one single type of Pokemon. Now, they are on a their mission of "Purifying" Arcadian. They want to take over, run a Gym of one type, and only use Pokemon of one type. They hate trainers that use dual type Pokemon. They hate all of the Gym Leaders. When they meet trainers, they bully the trainers into showing their Pokemon. If the trainer has any dual types, they beat up the trainer and take the Pokemon!"

"Wow, I guess that is why my Pokemon were so scared! All four of my Pokemon are dual types!"

"You are lucky that your Pokemon were out and keeping watch, or you would have gotten a serious beating!"

"Ha, I thought I did get a serious beating, but now I am glad my Pokemon are looking out for me. Should we send help to Hoder and the rest of Livonia City?"

"Oh, they will be fine now that they have been alerted. No one can beat Hoder in the dark!"

"I can! And I did!" I showed Nurse Joy the Perception Badge.

"Thief! How dare you steal from the blind! I am calling the Police!" She grabbed my arm and slammed me head first onto the counter. I have had enough head trauma for a lifetime in the last 5 hours!

"No! I didn't steal it! You can call Nurse Joy in Livonia or Hoder himself! I beat him fair and square!" I was now pleading for my life in a hospital. What has my life come to?

"Okay, let me just check," she grabbed the phone with her free hand. She made the call and released me.

"I am so sorry!. I cannot remember the last time Hoder was defeated! I think the Champion is the last one to do it."

"I'll get over it. Pain is weakness leaving the body," I said while crying because of the pain from the entire day.

"Well, a strong trainer like you should be able to get through it. But be careful Teddy. The Purists will stop at nothing to get rid of everything that they find that they believe is not pure! You might be safer traveling off of the roads. If you see any long coats of a certain color, it is probably The Purists. Use your Swellow to keep an eye out okay? Call me when you get to Jennings Town so I know you are safe. Also, take this PokeCenter cellphone. Let me know of any Purist movement that you see. Because I am not in a city or town, people look to me to be the center of information. There is nothing here that anyone wants. But it does bother me that they were close..." Nurse Joy then stared out of the window with a troubled look on her face. I could understand why she felt uneasy. She was defenseless. There was no Gym Leader here to protect her. It was just her and a few workers.

"Will do Nurse Joy. Thank you for all of your help! I will call you when I get to Jennings Town, and I will call any Purist movement!"

When we left, I put my Swellow back at point in the sky, and walked with the rest of my Pokemon. Now that we had a map, it was okay to walk off the road. We stopped when we were about a mile out of Jennings Town to drink some water and relax a little bit. I saw some fruit and brought it back for my Pokemon. We all turned to face the mountains to get some reflecting in. Unfortunately, we let our guards down for too long.

"So, I see you like dual type Pokemon..." that voice came from behind me along with a few laughs that made the hair on my neck stand up. The voice was smooth, soft, and paternal. I knew the person that said that was probably in his 40's. This isn't a school-yard bully I am dealing with. I turned around to see five grown men with long purple trench coats. I believe I have just met members of the Poison Purists. My heart fell into my stomach as my body was engulfed with fear.

"Hand them over son."