For the next few days, I didn't see Dylan at all. We had actually planned it this way. Each of us were going to come up with a list of things we would need for our upcoming journey. We figured that if we worked together, we might get each other going down a certain path of thinking and forget things. Our logic was to make separate lists and then combine them to make a final list.

We finally saw each other on Friday at Dylan's graduation open house. After Dylan, I seemed to be the guest of honor as much of his family wanted to meet his traveling buddy. They were very accepting of me, not that they really had much of a choice.

The next day was my open house and the roles were reversed. Most of my family had previously met Dylan but they still took the opportunity to get to know him better.

Although these open houses were technically celebrating our graduation, they turned more into farewell parties. Both friends and family got a little teary-eyed when we told them we would be leaving in a week. Many gave us even larger gifts, most of them monetary, than they normally would've. We were gifted with a lot of poke balls and almost a thousand dollars apiece.

Sunday rolled around and I was off to another open house at night. I had ridden over with Jen and Carrie, to spend a little more time with them before I left. As the sun disappeared, the party moved outside to where a bonfire was getting prepared.

"Hey, does anyone know what happened to the lighter fluid?" called Katy, our host. "I can't find it anywhere!"

After a few minutes of frantic searching, the lighter fluid never turned up. We were left sitting around a big pile of sticks. It was starting to get cold when Jen nudged me with her elbow.

"Don't you have a fire pokemon?" she asked. "Couldn't it light the fire?"

"I don't see why not," I admitted. "Although I'm not going to let Charmander out just to light a fire. That'd be cruel."

"You can light a fire?" Katy overheard us.

"Well, I can't," I said and released my pokemon. "But Charmander can. Fire it up, Charmander!"

Using a weak flamethrower, Charmander ignited the pile of brush. The flames spread quickly and soon the bonfire was roaring. I patted the empty spot on the log I was sitting on and Charmander came over and sat with me.

"Did you only bring one pokemon?" Katy asked, a perplexed look on her face.

"What? No," I replied. "I have all six of them with me."

"Well let them out! No reason for Charmander to have all the fun!"

I shrugged and did as she asked. I was glad I did because they did all seem to have fun. Pichu got the most attention, going from girl to girl to get it's belly rubbed. Treecko and Heracross sat together, seemingly discussing battle strategies. Corphish was happily enjoying the attention it and Mudkip were getting by putting on a small water show. Charmander seemed content to just sit with me.

"So are you going to do it?" Carrie whispered in my ear.

I was confused. "Do what?"

"Ask Jen out. I know she likes you too."

"No."

Carrie almost fell over in her lawn chair.

"Why not?" she exclaimed. "You're passing up a great opportunity!"

"I know and I'm probably going to regret it." I looked down at Charmander and got a reassuring nod. "I'm about to leave for like ten or so months. I can't start a relationship now. It'd be doomed to fail. We'd be together for five days before it turned into a long distance relationship. When I come back, then I'll give it another go."

"Promise?" asked a different voice.

Jen was leaning around Charmander, smiling.

"That's a promise I can make. Charmander can be my witness."

I only lasted another hour at the party before I began to get drowsy. After saying my goodbyes, I collected my pokemon and headed out with Carrie and Jen. Jen gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as they dropped me off. Life was certainly better since I became a pokemon trainer.

Monday afternoon, Dylan and I got together at my house to share our lists. Turns out we had still come up with very similar lists. We were able to narrow them down by a few items and then made a shopping list. We had sleeping bags and tents already as Dylan's dad was an avid camper and had agreed to let us use some along with a GPS unit. Food that wouldn't spoil topped our list followed by new shoes that were made for serious walking.

A trip to the local superstore provided us with most of our supplies. Food, flashlights and shoes were now all taken care of. A trip to the pokemon center covered our need for healing items. We were also able to get pokemon trainer cards that would identify us as trainers and could keep an electronic record of our gym victories.

Only one thing remained to do before we could start our journey.

"Come on," Dylan said, waving me towards him. "Let's go."

"Go where?" I asked, confused. We were already at the park for some reason.

"We've got to battle once more," he explained. "To mark the occasion of us leaving. We leave tomorrow so it's got to be today."

I pulled myself up off the swing set. "So be it. Let's go."

Dylan pulled a coin out. "Call it in the air. Winner gets to choose the number of pokemon and the loser has to send the first one out."

"Heads."

He caught the coin and slapped it onto the back of his hand. "Nope. Tails. Three pokemon each."

I grimaced. I was much better off when I was able to react to whatever Dylan sent out. Having to make the first pick put me at a large disadvantage. I decided to make the best of it and see where it got me.

"Heracross! Let's go!"

"Using our new pokemon are we?" Dylan asked. "Well, I'm not one to disappoint. Cyndaquil, go!"

This was the match up I had expected. There was no way Dylan was going to pass up the chance to have a type advantage over me, as no trainer ever would. I just had to hope that my pokemon was better. The flames that sprouted from the orange spots on Cyndaquil's back did hurt my confidence a little.

"Heracross, tackle attack!" The bug pokemon started racing across the field.

"Use tackle as well!" Dylan ordered.

Dropping down to all fours, Cyndaquil began racing forward as well. The fire pokemon leapt up at Heracross, only to be body-checked across the field. Heracross was much stronger than Cyndaquil.

"Good work, Heracross," I praised. "Now use fury attack!"

The wings burst from the bug pokemon's back and it tore across the grass. In a blur of motion, it unleashed a series of strikes with it's claws. After taking a few hits, Cyndaquil was finally able to dance away.

"Flame wheel!" Dylan shouted.

The flames on Cyndaquil's back overtook it's body as it began to run. It was now a running ball of fire.

"Fly up!" I yelled. "Don't let Cyndaquil touch you!"

"Heracross!" the pokemon replied and took the skies.

Cyndaquil skidded to a halt, flames diminishing.

"Ember!"

The flames flared up again as the fire mouse bent forward. A series of flaming embers shot out of the flames and found their mark up in the sky. Heracross screamed and started to drop from the sky.

I wasn't about to lose now. "Hang in there! Turn it into aerial ace!"

Heracross' eyes snapped back open as did it's wings. The white energy began to flow from it's body as it gained control of it's fall. It's speed picked up drastically as the bug pokemon altered it's course straight for Cyndaquil.

"Dodge it Cyndaquil!" Dylan shouted.

"No way!" I waved my hand out to the side. "Maximum speed Heracross!"

My pokemon picked up the pace even more. Cyndaquil was flattened before it even had a chance to react. Heracross spun around and landed on it's feet. The momentum it had caused it be keep sliding on the ground, leaving a trail of turned up dirt.

I pointed at the downed fire pokemon. "Finish it off! Horn attack!"

"Ember!" Dylan tried in desperation.

Cyndaquil had landed on it's stomach so it's flames were still exposed. The hail of fiery embers began again.

"Don't let that stop you!" I ordered. "Plow on through!"

"Heracross!" it screamed as it flew through the fire storm. Jerking it's head to the side, Heracross caught Cyndaquil full force with the horn attack. The fire pokemon flew through the air and bounced a few times on the ground before it lie still.

"Hera…cross," the bug pokemon panted as it flew back over in front of me. It was clearly exhausted.

"I've got to admit, I'm a little surprised," Dylan said as Cyndaquil was returned to its poke ball. "I thought the fire might have stopped Heracross."

"I think Heracross is a little higher level than we might've realized," I admitted. "Also, I wouldn't have even tried that if there was something on the line besides just this match. Against anyone else or for anything, probably wouldn't have tried it."

Dylan nodded. "Probably a good idea. Your pokemon seems rather tired."

"It's still a learning experience. This is only our second battle together."

"Touché. Totodile, you're up!"

I was pretty sure I heard Heracross groan as it saw all the energy that Totodile brought with it. Flying through the ember attack had clearly taken a serious toll on the bug pokemon. I'd definitely have to avoid it in the future.

"Let's do this, Heracross!" I encouraged my pokemon. "Horn attack!"

My pokemon lunged forward but Totodile simply danced out of the way. We tried the attack again but with the same result.

"Water gun!" Totodile speared Heracross out of the sky with a well-aimed water gun. Heracross crashed down to the ground. The bug gave it's best shot to try and get back to it's feet but ended up collapsing. I recalled it to it's poke ball.

I decided on my next poke ball. "Come on, Pichu!"

"What happened to learning experience?" Dylan asked.

"This is called battle experience," I countered. "Also important. Thundershock!"

Pichu blasted Totodile, knocking the water pokemon down. I noticed that Pichu's attacks were becoming less effective as Dylan's pokemon were growing. This did not bode well for me.

"Scratch attack!" Pichu's physical defense was not up to par for facing Totodile's furious attack. After a pair of scratches, the electric pokemon was struggling to get back to it's feet.

"Come on Pichu! Don't let Totodile beat you!" This was also quickly turning into a learning experience. "Thundershock!"

This electric attack was more effective than the last. Totodile was heavily charred and breathing heavily. Despite being a pre-evolution, Pichu clearly still had some power.

"Bite attack!"

Dylan's pokemon rushed in and clamped onto Pichu's tail as it was attempting to dodge. With a quick jerk of it's head, the alligator pokemon slammed my pokemon to the ground. It stirred for a moment but then was still. Definitely a learning experience now.

"Your pichu needs to evolve," Dylan commented.

"I won't lie, I like Pichu how it is," I said as I recalled the pokemon. "But I would be totally fine if it evolved. I'm not going to get far with as limited of a move set as it has. Thundershock can only carry me so far."

"Agreed." Dylan nodded towards my belt. "What now? Continue the learning experience?"

I shrugged. "Might as well. Never going to have a better time. It's your turn, Corphish!"

I produced my pokedex from a pocket of my khaki shorts. Even though I had previously read about Corphish's attacks, a quick refresher course couldn't hurt. Dylan allowed me this brief break as he contemplated how best to attack.

"Totodile, water gun."

"Dodge and use vice grip!"

Although it only stood on six tiny legs, they gave Corphish surprising maneuverability. It scuttled to it's left and then charged in. Totodile faced it up and prepared another water gun. Corphish launched itself into the air, right claw open and extended.

"Move Totodile!" Dylan yelled.

It was too late. Corphish got it's claw around Totodile's mouth and clamped down. The alligator pokemon's eyes went wide. It struggled to free itself but there was no breaking the grip of Corphish.

"Throw it to the ground!" I ordered.

"Cor-phish!" my pokemon bellowed in a high pitched voice.

Showing a surprising amount of strength, Corphish heaved Totodile above it's head and slammed it into the ground. Totodile hissed in anger. Corphish responded by whipping it over it's head and slamming Dylan's pokemon to the ground again. This time there was no noise coming from Totodile.

I grinned. "Now that was impressive. A little more power there than I had expected."

"You're telling me," Dylan said with a grimace. "I'll put an end to that, though. Go, Oddish!"

My mouth scrunched itself up. I knew that Oddish would be Dylan's choice. He wasn't about to bring Gyarados out for a simple battle like this but still wanted an edge. A basically untested corphish versus his battle-proven oddish was exactly the match up that he wanted.

"Bubble!" I shouted, determined to make Dylan work for his victory.

"Shield yourself with your leaves!"

Corphish spat a steady stream of bubbles that simply sprayed off of Oddish's leaves. I knew the attack wouldn't do much good but that's why Corphish was slowly advancing as it poured on the bubbles.

"Now!" I exclaimed. "Use vice grip!"

"Cor!" Corphish lunged forward. With it's left claw, it grabbed Oddish right above the base of it's leaves. Suddenly we were in the driver's seat.

"Slam it around!" I ordered. "It worked once and it can work again!"

With a little more ease this time, my pokemon smacked the ground with Dylan's pokemon. Oddish tried to fight back but they way Corphish was holding it, the grass pokemon couldn't get off any attacks.

"Sleep powder!"

My eyes went wide. "Let go of Oddish!"

Corphish's iron grip came with a price. With a grip that tight, it took a moment to release. A moment was all Oddish needed. A white powder came sprinkling out of it's leaves and onto Corphish.

"Fight it Corphish!" I yelled.

The lids of my pokemon's eyes were already drooping. It's muscles started to relax and Oddish slipped free. Corphish's eyes closed completely and the pokemon slumped to the ground. Apparently Corphish snores when it sleeps.

"I'll go ahead and concede this one," I said as I recalled Corphish to it's ball. "Nothing more can come of this and I don't want to watch Oddish drain my pokemon."

"Sore loser," Dylan chided.

"Hardly. I could've insisted that we continue on in the event that Corphish wakes up. Instead, I accepted defeat so we can move on."

"Right. Whatever you say," my friend scoffed. "So speaking of moving on, I think I've got our course plotted out for tomorrow."

I sat back down on the swing set. "You have a map so I can see it?"

Dylan shook his head and pulled a small device out of his pants pocket. "'Fraid not. I have a GPS instead. It can plot our courses for us and even give us estimated arrival times so we don't get burned if we try to estimate when we'll get somewhere."

"I like the thought of that. Will help make decisions about when to leave easier."

"Agreed," Dylan nodded and touched a few buttons. "There's no way we can make it to the gym in Detroit in one shot. I figure we go to Lansing, spend the night and then go to Detroit. We won't overexert ourselves in the first day that way too."

I rocked back in forth in the swing as I thought about it and waited for him to continue.

"Luckily, my dad is heading out to Clarksville for business tomorrow morning. He's agreed to give us a lift to there. After that we're on our own."

After some quick mental calculations, I spoke. "That'll cut down quite a bit of travel. Like five hours of walking?"

"Close enough," Dylan hit another button on the GPS. "It's still going take us around eleven or twelve hours to get there. Maybe even thirteen if you factor in rests and eating and possible pokemon catching."

I grimaced. That was half a day spent on the road. Luckily we had almost a year to complete this journey. Dylan was thinking the same thing.

"This year's Pokemon League Tournament just started," he said. "That's gives us just under a year to get all eight badges if we plan to be in next year's tournament. I think as long as we budget our time wisely and take a couple buses now and then, we should make it with time to spare."

"Yeah, we're going to have to take some buses and at least one plane ride," I agreed as I stood up. "There's no way we're walking from Chicago to New Jersey. That'd take us like fifteen days minimum."

"I've got a map of all the major bus routes packed already," Dylan told me as he got up off his swing too. "I'm working on finding short trips we can take that will get us a bit closer but still be cheap and give us a chance to walk and catch pokemon."

"You've got this pretty well thought out."

"Never hurts to be prepared."

I couldn't argue that thought. We left the park and headed back to our houses. I brought my traveling pack over to Dylan's and we went through everything. Running down our list of things we needed to pack, we doubled checked that everything was in our bags down to changes of underwear. We had everything we would need until we hit a cold climate when we'd have to invest in winter coats. To stave those purchases off, we had both packed our UnderArmor, which would help keep us warm until then.

"I think we may have everything," Dylan said slowly. "I can't think of anything else right now."

I nodded my agreement. "Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and soap. Underwear and socks. We've got about everything we can pack. I've got my iPod and charger too. You know, for mood music before big matches."

"That does seem like everything." He extended his hand to shake mine. "We're ready to go."

"Game on." I shook his hand.