Zorua shifts on my shoulder. So, where exactly are we headed, Markus?

I gesture to the other end of Marvelous Bridge. "Well, once we get through there and pass into Route 16, we can get to Nimbasa City. I don't know where to go from there, but for now I just want to be somewhere that's not here."

Fair enough.

As I begin to walk again, I try to keep my composure. Excitement is still rushing through my veins after catching Zorua, and I can't keep the smile off my face. Maybe I can really have a proper journey after all!

My excitement ebbs slightly when my stomach begins to growl. "Ah, that's right. It's been a few days since I ate last."

Do you not have any food on you?

"No, I thought I already told you that."

Well, I believe I have a solution for you. Follow me. Zorua jumps down from my shoulder and begins to trot ahead of me, passing through the exit into Route 16.

I follow, jogging to keep up, and watch as Zorua slips through a hole in the fence on the side of the path. The hole is pretty small, but I'm quite skinny, so I fit through easily as well. I find myself on a narrow path lined on both sides by dense foliage, and have to crouch so branches don't smack me in the face. Soon, Zorua and I are in a small clearing that's cluttered with berry trees.

"Whoa. I've never seen so many berry trees in one place!"

Yeah, I was impressed when I first found this, too. I used to come here a lot after my old trainer left me behind. Eating helped me cope.

"I see." I grab a red spiky berry. "I wonder what these taste like." I take a bite and my tongue is on fire! It feels like lava is frothing and bubbling on my gums.

As I attempt to scrape the spice off my tongue, Zorua walks over to me. That's a Tamato berry. They're a bit spicy.

"Couldn't you have told me sooner?" I sputter.

Zorua smirks. It wouldn't be nearly as funny that way. It jerks its head at a tree with some blue berries on it. Those are Oran berries. Nothing special about them, but they'll fill you up and they taste decent, too.

I walk to the tree and try one, and it appears that Zorua wasn't lying. "Looks like these are what'll be going in my bag. I don't trust these other berries."

Your loss. Zorua bites into a green berry with yellow spots, seemingly enjoying it.

I after I fill my bag a modest amount with Oran berries, I decide to sit down on the ground and rest my back on a berry tree's trunk. "Zorua, do you think anyone will care if we rest here a bit?"

What, are you tired?

"Yeah, a bit. Even before I started travelling, I was tired. I really haven't gotten much sleep lately."

Zorua trots over and lays down next to me, head resting on my thigh. We should be fine. As far as I know, very few people of Pokemon know of this place's existence.

"Good," I say, closing my eyes. "We'll keep going in a little bit, I just need to relax for a while."

I never say no to a good rest. Wake me up when it's time to go, will you?

"Can do."

I begin to drift off, memories of the day swirling before my eyes, coaxing me into a deep sleep.

It feels like seconds, but I know it must be hours, later when I hear Zorua's voice in my head again.

Wake up! It appears we have a visitor.

My eyes shoot open and I look around wildly, then I feel Zorua nudging my thigh.

On your lap!

My gaze falls to my lap, where a Snivy lays, seemingly asleep. My heart starts to pound with excitement. Snivy is my all-time favorite Pokemon!

I lean over and start to rummage through my bag as gently as possible, as to not wake the Snivy, when I realize a horrible truth.

"I- I used that Quick Ball already..."

Zorua looks up at me with concern. Well, yeah, you used it to catch me! Slowly, a look of realization crept onto its face. Wait, do you not have any other Poke Balls?

"No. Which means I can't catch this fantastic being of pure radiance," I mutter. I take a long, shuddering breath. "It- it's fine. We'll just have to leave it behind."

I gently pick up the Snivy and place it on the ground to my right. Its eyes flutter open, and it looks at me, seemingly annoyed that I moved it.

"Sorry, little guy," I say, getting up. "I know I must be pretty comfortable, but me and Zorua here have to get a move on."

I begin to walk away, back toward the narrow path, when I feel something wrap around my leg! I look down and see the Snivy with its arms around my leg, eyes staring into my own with an expression of longing.

I look over to Zorua for help. "What does it want?"

Dude, I think it wants to come with you.

I shudder with joy at the thought of taking Snivy with me, but reality sets in fast. "That's not possible. No matter how much I want to bring it with me, I don't have any Poke Balls."

Why not? This kind of stuff happens all the time, trainers forming bonds with wild Pokemon without catching them.

"So, I can just take it with me anyways?"

I don't think it's giving you any choice regardless.

I'm practically vibrating as I reach down and bring the Snivy into my arms. "D- Do you really want to come with me, Snivy?"

The Snivy responds by pressing its face into my neck and purring.

Does that answer your question?

It's hard to hide my tears as I walk with Zorua back out onto the main path of Route 16. I didn't choose this Snivy, it chose me. To me, that's a much better feeling than going and catching one just randomly. This means something.

I clutch Snivy close, my pace quickening as I try to keep up with Zorua on our way to Nimbasa City.

This journey just got a whole lot sweeter.