Soon, the trio departed the waterways and again set off towards the north.

"So, where do we go now?" questioned Louis.

"Where do you feel like going?" asked Totodile.

The boy stopped walking and turned his attention to the small Pokémon.

"Sorry?" he inquired.

"You've found three shards already without direction," explained Totodile.

"So...where do you feel like going?" it continued.

Louis took a deep breath and scanned the world around him. Behind him were a row of forests and fields, and in front, a vast mountain range in the distance. Taki followed his gaze to the mountains.

"I think that way too," she said

They proceed forward. Soon, the group stumbled into some unfenced farmland. They all froze in place, realizing where they were.

"...I don't think we should be here," said Taki.

"But the mountain path starts at the end of this field," mentioned Louis. "If we go around it, we'll lose half a day."

Taki reluctantly sighed.

"Don't blame me when we get chased by a Tauros." she said.

A perimeter, formed of vast oak trees lined the farm, with a row through the middle.

"If we keep to this path..." Louis paused.

"...we can probably cross without being seen."

Taki bit her tongue and followed.

The soft grass caressed their feet as they passed, and the warm, fertile soil relaxed Taki's sore, un-shoed feet.

"Hey, how come the crystal shards are so far apart from one another?" asked Totodile.

Louis shifted his head and gazed at Totodile with surprise.

"Good question," replied Louis.

"What did she say?" questioned Taki.

– "She asked why the shards are spread out across the region."

Taki pondered the question. She hadn't really thought about it until now.

"I'm guessing their placement is for safety reasons," she answered.

"Probably so it wouldn't be easy for thieves to find."

A cool breeze blew past the trio's bodies, putting their minds at ease.

Until…

An impact struck Louis' head, startling him.

"What the-?" he muttered.

The object, a sketch pad, fell to the ground after its surprise attack. Louis picked it up and inspected the item. But then, Louis felt something tap his shoulder.

"Um...sorry..." a young voice said. "...That's my book."

Louis turned his attention upwards and saw a young boy dangling upside-down from an old oak tree. Absentmindedly, Louis handed the item back to the kid.

"Oh, here you go," he said.

The boy grabbed the sketchbook as Louis released his grip.

"Thanks," he said.

"No problem," replied Louis.

Taki and Totodile looked up to the boy, while Louis started walking off. Before he could get far, Taki grabbed Louis' shirt and pulled him back to the group. Louis returned his attention to the dangling boy and shrieked.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

"Maybe...a little...help please?" The tree occupant asked.

Before Louis could even attempt, he noticed Taki already climbing up the tree, clenching a stick with her teeth. Totodile rode on her shoulder. Taki moved on top of the branch that the young boy was hanging from and reached down with the stick.

"Better brace yourself," called Taki, as she began sawing at the restraining thread.

Sooner than any could anticipate, the captive fell, and using Louis as a crash-pad, thumped to the floor.

"Man...you're pretty heavy," said Louis.

"Hey, don't say that!" groaned Taki.

Then, Taki and Totodile hopped down from the tree as the boy stumbled off Louis.

By looking at the boy's bright, youthful eyes, Taki could tell that this child was about eight years old.

He had dark green, ear-length hair parted at the center, and wore a green short-sleeved shirt, dark red shorts, along with purple and bright orange shoes. The most notable item of clothing was a salmon-coloured headband that the boy wore.

"How'd you even get up there?" questioned Louis.

"I...I think I got too close to a Weedle," the boy answered.

"A what?" inquired Taki.

– "A Weedle. It must've thought I would attack it, and it...webbed me to this tree."

"Oh…" paused Louis

"I thought maybe Team Rocket would've had something to do with that."

"Team...who?" questioned the boy.

"You'd know if you met them..." said Taki.

"...they're loud and obnoxious."

A quiet fell on the group, as they scanned their surroundings. Then, all four of them stood and began walking again.

"By the way, what's your name?" asked Louis.

"Tracey...Tracey Sketchit," the boy answered.

"You?"

"Name's Louis...Louis Serrano," said Louis

"And I'm Taki," added Taki.

"Pleasure." responded the newcomer.

Tracey sighed in disappointment.

"All this for a mountain sketch," he said.

"Mountain?" replied Louis.

"We're headed that way right now," added Taki.

"You should probably tag along." she offered.

"Are you sure?" questioned Tracey.

"Safety in numbers, pal," answered Louis, smiling.

The party approached the fence line bordering the farm, and, after helping each other over, Louis posed a question.

"So, where are you from?" he asked.

"Tangelo Island," answered Tracey.

At that moment, Louis stopped walking. Taki and Totodile leaned into the conversation.

"...you live in the Orange Islands?" continued Louis.

"Uh, yeah," responded Tracey.

"Why? Is something wrong?

"Not at all," replied Louis.

"I would've never guessed. ...what brings you to Johto?"

"My family are here on vacation," explained Tracey.

"Where are they now?" inquired Taki.

Tracey searched for an answer and, finding none, mumbled.

"Oh no," he said.

A look of worry played upon Tracey's face. Totodile gazed up to Louis.

"He doesn't know where they are, does he?" it asked.

"I don't think so," replied Louis.

Taki trotted over and placed a hand on Tracey's shoulder.

"Wherever they are, I'm sure we'll find them along the way," reassured Taki.

The grass below them turned to a sharp, course rubble underfoot as the mountain path loomed ahead. The air turned dry and cool, and swept through the group forebodingly...

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