My spirits are high once again. I now have two friends to call my own when hours before I had none. Zorua, walking beside me, and Snivy, held close to my chest. I feel like nothing could possibly sour this feeling.

"Hey, you!"

Uh-oh.

I turn to whoever shouted at me and see a young boy of about ten with an Oshawott at his side. "What?"

The kid points at me. "You know what happens when two trainers' eyes meet, don't you?!"

"Me? A trainer?" My eyes shift to Zorua. "Oh, right. I guess I am a trainer now. I'm guessing you want to battle?"

The kid lowers his hand, his Oshawott moving in front of him and taking a fighting stance. "You bet!"

"Well, I've never actually battled before. I don't even know my Pokemon's moves!"

Zorua pawed at my shin, trying to get my attention. Well, I know-

"What?! Don't you have a Pokedex?" The boy looks stunned.

"Do... do I need one?" I ask.

"Well, yeah, if you want to know your partners' moves!"

I nod. "That sounds pretty necessary. Where can I get one, then?"

The boy whips his Pokedex out to show me. "I got mine and Oshawott here from Professor Juniper! Her lab is in Nuvema Town."

I nod again, trying to remember exactly where Nuvema Town is. "Got it. I'll head there, then."

The kid fixes me with an intense stare. "Promise you'll battle me when you get your Pokedex?"

Well, I feel like I owe it to him. "Sure, kid. What's your name? It'll be easier to remember you if I know it."

"It's Wes! What's yours?"

"Call me Markus."

"Cool name! Well, see you around, then!" Before I know it, the kid is running off in the direction I'd been walking from, waving back to me.

Zorua paws at my leg again. I could have just told you my moves.

"To be honest, even if I did know them, I still wouldn't be able to battle well. At least, I don't think so."

Zorua begins to walk again, prompting me to follow beside it. Well, I think you would have done well.

Snivy shifts in my arms, looking up at me reassuringly.

"Okay, maybe I could have done well. At the very least, I have a real destination now."

Do you even know how to get to Nuvema Town?

"Not a clue. I'm hoping I can find a map or something in Nimbasa City up ahead."

Zorua sighs. I hope so, too.

Before, long, we've passed into Nimbasa City. All the flashing lights and large buildings remind me of Black City, but unlike my old home, color is everywhere, giving the place a much friendlier vibe.

"Alright," I mumble, looking around. "Where can I find a map?"

I'd try the Pokemon Center if I were you.

"Sounds like a good place to start." I can see the Pokemon Center from where I'm standing, so I quickly run over and step inside.

A young woman with pink hair and a gentle smile greets me. "Welcome to the Nimbasa City Pokemon Center. How may I help you today?"

"Would you happen to have any maps of the region here?"

"Well, there are some paper maps on that shelf behind you," she says, pointing to them. "But you are a trainer, are you not? Shouldn't you have a Town Map already?"

I shake my head, confused. "A what?"

"A Town Map. It's a device that serves as an interactive map of the whole region. I'm guessing you don't have one, then."

I grab a map and turn back to the woman. "So, where can I get one of these Town Maps?"

"Most new trainers get one from Professor Juniper along with their Pokedex."

"Well, that's convenient. I'm heading to see her anyways because I need a Pokedex, too."

The woman looks stunned. "You don't have a Pokedex, either?"

I shrug, slightly embarrassed. "Nope. I'm doing things a bit differently, that's all."

The woman quickly recovers and regains her smile. "I see. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Not at the moment. Thanks for the map!" I say as I turn and walk back outside.

I make a beeline for a nearby bench, sit down, place Snivy on the bench beside me, and open up the map.

Zorua hops onto my shoulder as I'm examining it. You know how to actually read this, right? Because I can't.

"Don't worry, it appears to be pretty simple. It looks like I need to go south from here to Castelia City, then east onto Skyarrow Bridge, then south again when I reach Striaton City."

Sounds like a long journey.

"It will be, and that's my only problem. I don't know if I grabbed enough berries for the trip. I guess we could look for more, but I'm still worried."

Don't be. I can sniff out enough berries for all three of us if need be.

"Thanks, Zorua."

I look around, taking in the sights one last time, fold up the map, and pick up Snivy again. "Are you ready for a long trip, Snivy?"

Snivy huddles closer to my chest, then nods, giving me a determined look.

I still don't understand why Snivy insisted on coming with me, but I can't question it now.

I stand up, quickly locating the city's south exit.

"Let's go."