Another day, another ordeal. I'm starving, but I can't leave my room. Not without a verbal and physical lashing. My parents are still mad that I dared to try and move out, mad that I won't just get a job and make money for them.

Black City. A place of bustling economy, prosperous and rich.

What a joke. This city has become a dump these past few years, and my parents are just following the dump lifestyle.

Little do they know, today is the day I leave.

I've made plans while cooped up in here, and managed to snag a Quick Ball yesterday while they slept. Hopefully, it'll serve its purpose and I'll finally have a Pokemon companion. A friend. Then, I can start my journey.

I have nothing but the clothes on my back, a bag, and that Quick Ball. There are other things in my room, but they mean nothing to me. Broken old toys, an old TV, pictures of my childhood with busted glass frames, all worthless.

The only things not currently on my body that still matter now are the boards covering up my window. An obstacle. They need to go.

Thankfully, Dad was never good at hammering in nails, and I was smart enough to not bring it up to him. Even without a tool, the boards come off easily.

"It's go time."

In a flash, the window is open and I'm stepping out onto the grass next to the apartment building. If we weren't on the first floor, escape wouldn't be possible. I close the window as quietly as possible and start to run.

It's only a matter of time until they know I'm gone, so I need to leave the city as fast as possible. No time for pit stops, not that I had anywhere else to go.

My target? Route 15. From there I can get to Marvelous Bridge, Route 16, and then eventually Nimbasa City. Any Pokemon I find along the way is fair game for this Quick Ball of mine. I do have preferences, but I'm also desperate.

As I'm running, people glance at me, but nobody seems to give much notice. They've all got other things on their minds, likely whatever shady business dealings they're going through.

Before long, I reach the west exit of the city. Route 15 lies before me. I've seen it before just passing by, but the sharp contrast between the jet black skyscrapers and the jagged earthen cliffs has always left me speechless. Good thing I don't need to talk to progress as I make my way beyond Black City's border. When I cross into Route 15, I breathe a sigh of relief. It'll be much harder for my parents to find me now that I've left the city.

As I slow to a walk, I begin to truly take in my surroundings. The nature that now surrounds me is pleasant, but the sight is somewhat marred by the laboratory off to the side of my path. I've always been curious as to its purpose, but today isn't the day to find out. I pass it right by without a second thought.

Before long, I reach the entrance to Marvelous Bridge, another high-tech break in the natural scenery around me. I know I must keep moving, so I press on, soon finding myself on the bridge, surrounded on all sides by vast amounts of water.

Hey kid, what's with the long face?

"Huh?" I look around but see no one. As far as I can tell, the bridge is completely empty. "Guess I'm just hearing things."

Well, yes, you certainly are. You're hearing me.

"Then who are you? Why can't I see you?"

Answer my question first.

"Well, life hasn't been great for me lately. Speaking of which, I should get going. Goodbye, voice from nowhere."

Wait!

Suddenly, a soft weight drops directly onto my head. "Ouch! First I'm hearing things, and now this?!"

Take me with you!

I grab the thing from my head and lower it in front of my face. "A Zorua?"

The Pokemon in my hands smirks at me. Yep! I was the one talking to you.

"But Pokemon don't talk. Well, they do, but not in English."

Well, duh. I'm using telepathy to speak directly into your mind!

"Well, that's cool I guess, but I really must be going. I have places to be," I say, putting the Zorua down.

Well, can't I come with you?

I grasp the Quick Ball in my bag, my goals suddenly remembered. "I guess you could, but why do you even want to bother with me?"

Well, you really look like you could use a friend.

"What, are you taking pity on me?"

Well, I could also use a friend. I've been traveling alone for a long time now, ever since my trainer abandoned me.

"Sounds like you've had a tough life, too. Either that or you're trying to get food out of me. I don't have any, so that won't work."

Trust me, I get enough food. Can I come with you or not?

"You're pretty insistent. Even so, if you've been traveling alone for a while, why haven't you already someone else who's friend material?"

Well, it's been hard to trust anyone since I was abandoned. You're the first person I've seen who's as broken as I am.

"Broken?"

Yeah, I can sense these sorts of things. Probably something to do with the telepathy.

I fall to my knees, memories rushing back. The abuse. The neglect. "I... I guess I am broken."

The Zorua walks closer to me, staring up into my tear-filled eyes. Yeesh. You really do need a friend. I won't take no for an answer now. Let me come with you.

I pick up the Zorua and hold it close to my chest. "I get it. I guess I needed a friend more than I thought I did. Someone to talk to. To cry with."

I grab the Quick Ball from my bag and present it to Zorua. "So... is this the part where I catch you?"

Zorua dropped from my arms and sat in front of me. Yes. Go ahead.

I toss the Quick Ball and it takes Zorua inside with a flash of red light. Three shakes and a burst of stars later, I have that friend I so desperately needed.

I quickly retrieve the ball and send Zorua back out.

Zorua hops onto my shoulder and nuzzles into my neck. You know, I never caught your name.

"It's Markus," I reply. "Now let's go. We've got a journey to go on."