"Well Stacy, we're finally here!"
Young Natsumi held her Skitty, Stacy in her arms as she looked out across Littleroot Town. Her chocolate-brown hair blew gracefully in the breeze. Before walking into the village, she stopped to figure out what she was going to say and do when she saw her aunt and met Prof. Birch. She had a serene look on her face, for she had no idea about the impact going on a pokémon journey would have on her life.
When she reached her aunts house, she saw her loading up a moving truck. "Aunt Cecilia!"
"Well, Natsumi! What are you doing here?"
"I've finally decided to take on the pokémon league challenge. But, what's going on?"
"Your Uncle Norman has at last been accepted as the new leader of Petalburg Gym. So we are moving to Petalburg to make it easier for everybody. Oh, he's going to be so excited that you are going on an adventure! Would you like to ride there with me?"
"Thanks for the offer, but I need to talk to Prof. Birch. I'll see you later."
"Oh good! Max and May are already at the new house. They probably won't recognize you. We haven't seen you for years! It'll be nice to get reacquainted, won't it? Well, I'll see you soon!"
And just like that, the moving van drove off.
On her way again, Natsumi reached route 102 and immediately spotted Birch.
"Um, Professor?"
"Ah, you must be Natsumi who called you earlier. This is my son, Brendan, obviously. But you probably want your pokédex! Here you are." He handed her a shiny red pokédex. "I'm fairly busy, but Brendan can show you how to use it."
"It's pretty easy. All you do is point it at the pokémon you want to learn more about. If you want more information, just press these buttons.
"…So, Natsumi, do you have a pokémon yet?"
"Yes." She released her Skitty from its pokéball. "I got her from my uncle a couple of years ago."
"Wow! But you're just going on your gym challenge now?"
"Yes. It's a long story…"
"Oh. Well then… Would you like to battle? It's not like you can beat me, but it would be a good experience for you."
"You don't think I can beat you? Whatever, let's go!" Really, really don't like this guy, she thought to herself.
"Good. This one-on-one battle between Brendan and Natsumi starts now," he announced, "Go Mudkip!"
"Go Stacy! Um… Do that cute, cuddly thing, attract!"
Stacy then did a cute little facial expression causing Brendan's Mudkip to stop on the spot.
"Mudkip! You're supposed to attack it, not fall in love with it! Snap out of it!"
"Um… I guess you should attack it now, tackle it! Again!"
It really didn't take much to KO Brendan's Mudkip, giving Natsumi a major confidence boost.
"Oh, Stacy! That was great!"
"…I went easy on you…" Brendan protested.
"Yeah, sure… Well, I'm heading back to Oldale Town to heal Stacy and the others…"
"Others?"
"Mm? Oh, yeah, I have to other pokémon. Go Pichu! Go Anzu!"
Out popped a Pichu and an Azurill with a gem shard around its neck.
"Wow!" Exclaimed Brendan and the Prof in unison.
"Natsumi! I have never seen pokémon like these before! Where did you find them? …And what's around your Azurills neck?"
"Thank you. When I came here from Lavaridge Town, I came across a daycare center. The old couple there offered me two pokémon eggs that no one wanted. And my Azurill has an everstone to keep it from evolving. I don't think Marills are very cute," she added sheepishly. "Well, I really need to get going. Thank you for all of your help!"
"Good luck Natsumi!"
After a short walk from Oldale Town, Natsumi reached her uncles home in Petalburg City.
"Natsumi! Welcome!"
She gave her uncle a big hug, and then took a seat in their cozy kitchen.
"So where are May and Max? I have two new pokémon they'd like to see."
"Oh, I'm afraid that you just missed them. They have also started a journey! And with a trainer from Kanto!"
"Wow! That's really cool! Trying to follow in their dad's footsteps?"
"Well, I like to think so, but I'm not sure May is so keen on the idea."
After a long chat with her aunt and uncle, Natsumi prepared to set off yet again. However as she was heading off for her next destination, Norman told her, "If you should meet up with May and Max, I need you to be a good role model for them. They look up to you and I need you to be a good influence."
She nodded and left for Rustboro City.
