Disclaimer: When life gives me video games, I play them. But I don't own any of their franchises, especially not Pokemon.

Author's Note: All right, time for another chapter. Thanks to shin obin for reviewing. Don't worry, I'll keep writing. Still a short chapter, though.


I sprinted through the forest, leaping over bushes and dodging trees. Behind me, there were two angry Dragon-type Pokemon crashing through the underbrush behind me, roaring and snarling their anger. I was pretty sure that they were also trying to attack me, seeing as pulses of pure energy were flying past me and setting everything on fire.

So it was sort of natural for me to be screaming at the top of my lungs.

Of course, there was other stuff going on that helped my panic. For one, Lillipups were sprinting across the ground so fast, it looked like they were gliding just above the ground. Patrats were quickly burrowing into their tunnels like mad. And Pidoves were flying everywhere and - you guessed it - pooping like crazy.

Unfortunately, I couldn't try to avoid the poop with the two ticked off Haxoruses behind me. So I got my new jacket covered in poop. Again.

I leapt over some more bushes and kept running, feelings of guilt going through my mind. I somehow lost my Pokemon in the forest, which is now currently on fire, which is technically my fault, which means that if anything happens to my Pokemon, it would totally my fault. I wouldn't be able to call myself an awesome Trainer ever again. I would have to go back home and never be able to become the Champion. I would have to watch Gwen go on her journey and become the next awesome Trainer-

How big is this forest?! Seriously, I've been running for like five minutes and there's no sign of me getting out of here!

As if in sudden answer, I tripped over a stupid Patrat, almost did a front flip, and landed on the road for Route 3. I blinked rapidly, not processing the fact that I had gotten out of the forest. When I finally did realize what happened, I leapt to my feet and turned around, expecting the Haxoruses to step out of the trees and completely wreck me with their giant tusks.

But they were nowhere to be found.

I did a double take, sure that I was totally out of it and unable to see two angry Dragon type Pokemon trying to kill me. But I didn't see any hint of them at all, besides the flaming trees and the panicking Pokemon. I shrugged and turned away. Maybe they just wanted to drive me out of their territory. It was a good thing I put George back in his Poke Ball; otherwise he might've got hurt-

And then Bubble and Hope suddenly came crashing into my thoughts again.

I groaned and sat down onto the road again, and put my face in my hands. Let's count how many ways I screwed up today. I lost my starter and my first caught Pokemon, I nearly got George killed, I set a forest on fire, and I managed to fail in catching a shiny Axew. Could this day get any worse?

"Sol!"

I shot straight up, instantly alert. Where did that cry come from?!

Then I noticed a Day-Care center right in front of me, where a bunch of preschoolers were running around a playground having fun. And hanging around right by the Day-Care door was a Solosis and a Mareep, the Solosis looking super happy, while the Mareep just gave me a look that said, 'You're an idiot.'

I stared at them for an entire minute before smacking myself in the face.

How did I not notice that they were chilling at the Day-Care center?!

Hope was right. I'm a complete idiot.