AUTHOR'S NOTES: The next chapter's up! It's somewhat shorter than the last one. There's not a whole lot more to add. As always, please leave a review if you enjoyed the story or have any tips for me to improve my writing, it would mean a lot. Follow the same procedure if you'd rather burn me at a stake.

And it's just that simple, really. That's how you capture a Pokémon. In fact, I might've even made that excessively complex for what it normally is. Truth be told, it wasn't what most people refer to when they talk about a 'capture', usually that implies a battle against the Pokémon until, for one reason or another it accepts to let itself be captured, with a part that leaves them no room for how they feel on the subject of being caught depending on what type of Pokéball is used. A Pokémon that's aware of how, for example, an Ultra Ball is more prestigious than a Great Ball might have his mind changed because it knows that the trainer is one that knows what they're doing. If they're not, it still has a higher chance of capturing a Pokémon.

Please excuse the brief exposition there, but it's better to be explaining that to you than telling you what my thoughts were filled with as I walked back to rejoin Lisa with the Froakie on my shoulder. For the record, it was mostly 'Dear Arceus I cannot believe I just caught a Froakie in Lake Verity' and other variations of that with more vulgar language.

The Pokémon isn't very heavy, which makes having him on my shoulder not terribly inconvenient. Besides, being in that position has something that he sees as an advantage and wastes no time in explaining.

"This way, we can talk in a lower voice so we can be more alert on the road."

It would sound oddly paranoid to me, but coming from a Pokémon who's been out of his habitat for at least a week, I guess it's an excusable concern. I've got more than a few questions for him. Obviously I need to get to know him if I want to be a semi-decent Trainer, but they should probably wait until I've upheld my end of the deal and we're eating something. There's just one thing that I feel shouldn't wait.

"Sorry, I must've forgotten my manners. What's your name?" I ask, staring at the blue figure from the corner of my eyes and grinning when I see Lisa leans forward from the tree with a shocked jump, already beginning to walk towards us.

Froakie only has time to mutter "I have none, but I'll think of something," before she gets to us, and she must've thought that what he said was a greeting for her, because she happily exclaims "Hello to you too!"

He shoots me a quick, concerned glance, and then hops down onto the ground. For the second time I notice how strong his legs are whenever he actually uses them to jump, which would explain how he was so quick in hiding last time I was here, he must be a quick runner with those. I really need to refresh my knowledge on Froakies. Once he's down, he makes a few meaningless noises, which means Lisa and I both hear the same happy sounding "Fro!"'s.

The Ace Trainer's eyes seem to glow when she looks at it, and she crouches to pat Froakie's head and stroke it lightly, cooing "Aw, he's just so adorable!"

At first glance, he looks to be enjoying it, but after it goes on for a full minute, he decides he's had enough and the next time her hand is about to come down to pet him, he leaps to safety and makes it easily back on my right shoulder.

"She won't be tagging along, will she?" He asks, first thing, staring straight at me with a near-panicked expression and all his muscles tightened.

I shake my head lightly, which seems to relax him and get the point across. Lisa stares enthralled at me for a few more seconds. That's a first, a nice girl showing that much interest in me? Then, with the faintest hint of a blush, she looks me dead in the eye.

"Sorry, I just hadn't seen a Froakie before…" Figures, not sure what I'd been thinking.

We walk back to the lakefront, where the sign that briefly explained the legend of Lake Verity was without the presence of Dodrio or Gogoat. Nobody speaks, but I take the occasion to think. Not only do I have a lot to talk about with my new partner, but from now on, how we proceed is completely up to me, or us, I suppose. I've still got a lot of firsts to do as a Pokémon Trainer. How will my first battle go? I imagine it'll be later today, against a wild Pokémon, but will I win, or will I crash and burn before I even get started? It's not that I don't believe in Froakie's ability to win, but having strong Pokémon means nothing if the Trainer isn't up to par. And then what? We might be able to train around here for a few days at most, but after that we'll need different kinds of experiences to keep growing, and then I'll finally have to set out for real, be on my own. I can only wonder what he's thinking, having decided to take a chance and go on a journey with a stranger. A stranger that can offer him food, but I feel that in exchange for that type of trust, I need to do my best not to let him down.

Pokémon are kind of like family in that sense, eh?

Which also begs the question: will any of this help my mother, in the long run?

Once we're at the sign, though, Lisa takes a deep breath and turns to me with her lips forming a slight downward curve.

"I think you should recall Froakie for the ride back. Might be shaky, as you know..."

Truth be told I'm kind of surprised she didn't ask to carry him while on Gogoat to pet him a bit more. Either way, she's got a point. I reach down to the Pokéball, which right now I've got in my pocket with my keys (please tell me I didn't drop those because of Dodrio), and the creature on my shoulder reacts to its presence by looking at me curiously for an explanation.

"I'm just going to have to put you back in the ball for a few minutes until we get to someplace we can eat, and then you'll be back out," I say, and though his expression remains wary, he appears to accept it and lets himself return to the inside of the capsule. I can only theorize what it must be like in there. Maybe I could ask him sometime?

I'm busy wondering if the inside of a Luxury Ball constantly smells like newly-washed clothes or whatever the Pokémon caught inside it would find pleasant when there's not one but three taps on my back. I turn around to see what the matter is and my heart nearly shoots up my throat when I see all three of Dodrio's heads a few inches from mine, all of them smiling as widely as one might be able to with a beak.

From on top of Gordon, Lisa giggles again, a sound that's actually starting to bother me come this point. All of a sudden, she calms down completely and in a perfectly serious and nonchalant tone, she remarks "I think he likes you."

That would explain the trying to give me a heart attack with every ledge we come across and what must've been the first time ever a Dodrio has used the move Scary Face.

"No shit," I answer as I successfully get on the Pokémon back, on my first try, for once.

Three minutes and almost a change of pants later, we get to our destination, which as it turns out wasn't my house. Instead, we dismount in front of the Pokémon Center, a place that I don't normally go to very much, but everyone knows where it is anyway. In fact, anyone knows where anything is in Sandgem Town; it's not that big at all.

Lisa's reasons for coming here are the following. "Well, it'd be better to show you how a Pokémon Center works when you actually need it, but I've already checked in at it because I wanted to leave my bag in a room there; carrying it around is not something I find particularly comfortable. Anyhow, I've got some food for Pokémon specifically in there, so I could give you enough for Froakie, and you two could eat together while I eat with my Pokémon and we meet back here in," she looks down at her Pokétch, "hour and a half?"

"Sounds fair," I reply, and wait there for a couple of minutes as she rushes up to her room and back down to hand me a small, sealed plastic blue bag. There are plenty of these in the Poké Mart; they're just Pokéblocks that any Pokémon would enjoy. Not only that, but she hands me a type of body soap in a bottle, and explains that most Frog Pokémon like to take frequent baths to moisturize their skin, and that I might as well give it some helpful products. Thanking her and bidding her farewell for now, we part ways and I head back home at a brisk pace.

Just in case, I choose to wait until the second I lock the door behind me to take out Froakie's Pokéball again and send him back out into the world. It's not the first time a Pokémon's in our house's living room, but it certainly is the first time that my own Pokémon is, and it also feels like one of those 'firsts' as a trainer I should hold onto, and I take a mental photograph of the moment, cherishing it. It also lasts around five seconds.

"Nice place. If it's yours, that is."

It doesn't feel forced. Sure, he was probably saying that to remind me that he's there and that he wants to be fed, kocking me out of my stupor, but that it's genuine helps, as well.

"I suppose it's our place, now. We won't be here forever, though, so don't get too used to it." I begin to take off the almost-empty-yet-still-cumbersome bag and I let it drop right next to the door, to be grabbed on my way out, and I leave Froakie's Pokéball on a shelf to my left that my bag is leaning against, also to get it later, along with the bottle that Lisa gave me. I make a mental note to ask the Ace Trainer where to get one of those belts to carry around Pokéballs.

I make for the kitchen, and, rather than look all around and ask questions on most things, or just tag along wordlessly, I'm quite surprised to see that the Pokémon's already there, in his usual crouch on the table waiting for me to get there. Clearly, he's not the most talkative personality around, but to be fair, neither am I. That's bound to make our journey together 'interesting'.

I look down at the blue bag in my hands and turn it over to see if there are any instructions on it that specify that the Pokéblocks need to be warmed up, but if that's the case, it doesn't say so, and I figure it must be a no-brainer, so I take one of the bowls I normally use for cereal during breakfast and pour in the contents of the bag after tearing it open. The brown, cubic-shaped food fills it all the way to the brim, and I hear another, not so faint grumble from Froakie's stomach. He eyes the bowl hungrily, but pries his eyes away from it to stare at me.

"Thanks, uh…" once again, he raises a hand to rub the back of his head. "I don't believe I got your name."

"Victor's the name," I say, gesturing towards the food with my head to signal him to go ahead and start, but don't sit down yet myself, instead walking over to the fridge. There's a bit of ham left in there, and some frozen bread, nothing the microwave can't fix. There's enough to make myself a decent sandwich, anyhow. I also grab a yoghurt and a pear from a fruit bowl next to the fridge before shutting the door.

It takes only a minute to heat the bread to a usable temperature, and half a minute to make myself the aforementioned sandwich. I sit on a chair across from Froakie, who's actually on the table, so it's a bit weird, but I think I can get used to eating at a table where other things are sitting. He's already started eating, or, rather, devouring, the Pokéblocks. If the Oran Berry earlier had any effect on his appetite, it isn't showing right now. The meal doesn't go by in perfect silence, however.

"So, uh, if I may…" I mutter, to get his attention. He looks up from his food with what only looks like mild annoyance on his face at being distracted from his long-awaited meal. "How come you were in Lake Verity for so long?" I ask, only now realizing how much of a stretch it is to assume that he was the thing that I felt last week. His expression changes more to curiosity.

"To be honest, I didn't know that it had a name. I just liked the water and decided to stay there, is the short answer. And before you ask, no, I don't know how I was born in a region where there are no others of my kind in the wild." I don't believe he's been asked before, but it's the obvious follow-up question, and he seems aware of it.

I wait for him to place another Pokéblock in his mouth, and even though it's actually three that he grabs, I take the time he spends chewing to formulate and enunciate my next inquiry.

"And up until now, you'd just been gathering a few berries and little more, living by yourself?"

To my surprise, he shakes his head, then, with what looks like a grin (I'm going to have to learn how to identify them); he brings his hands up to his head and holds it.

"Not alone, the Psyduck were there too, and very, uh, helpful. I got some food from them and learnt a few things from their conversations. The truth is I've only got memory from a few weeks ago anyway, so that's when I was born. I did recognize you from earlier, though, when I saw you there today."

He explains the part of how he survived a little hastily, and it looks like he might want to add something to that, but before I can pursue the matter, he decides it's his turn to ask the questions. We've both got a bit of food left, though I've finished my sandwich, so we may as well fill up the time on the table with that.

"So…correct me if I'm wrong, but here's what I've learnt about people like you. You're a Pokémon Trainer, which means you capture Pokémon like me inside those capsules…no, wait, Pokéballs, and you go on a journey all around the region, strengthening both yourself and your companions, while providing care for them?"

Those Psyducks must've gotten a hold of one of my textbooks, because the explanation is pretty much spot on. I twirl the pear around, holding it at the top between two fingers and nod.

"That's all true. Not having seconds thoughts, are you?"

"None yet, of course, all of this" he looks around, making it clear what he's referring to, "is better than the Lake. I miss the water, but I'm sure that seeing to that is part of your job. And I haven't mentioned it, but these are delicious!" He lowers his head again to begin to finish up with his meal, and it's just as well that he likes it, because he's probably going to be running on those for a long time.

His comment about the water's perfect, too, as it gives me a good lead-in to confirm his claim. "You got it, you can take a bath upstairs, and I have something that'll make sure you come out of it extra clean."

He doesn't seem distrustful of that claim. In fact, if there's one thing I've noticed often in this Froakie, it is curiosity, and it's there again when I mention the bath. There's also a pinch of eagerness with it; probably to see for himself how it works.

That motivates him to finish the remaining Pokéblocks in record time, but ultimately he waits patiently anyhow for me to have the entirety of the yoghurt. Once I'm finished and stand up, I have just enough time to throw away the banana peel along with the remains of the yoghurt and put away the bowl before he's leapt back onto my shoulder soundlessly.

Much to his unmanifested disappointment, I have to walk back to the door to pick up the bottle from there, but afterwards, it's a steady walk up the stairs and to the bathroom where I normally take all my showers. The shower is in the bathtub itself, though, so it can be used for that purpose. I turn my head to the right and see his expression; for now, he seems thoroughly unimpressed.

I grab a towel and spread it on the floor right outside the tub so that he doesn't soak the tiles when he gets out, then plug the drain in the bathtub so that I can begin to fill it up with tepid water. Froakie watches the water emerge in an almost disbelieving manner. He points to the plug.

"I'm guessing I pull that out when I am done?"

There's no reason why he should've thought that. Heck, when I was little, I often left the plug placed in the drain thinking that that way I wouldn't have to waste time filling up the tub next time I took a bath; no matter how many times Mom corrected me. It might be because he saw it wasn't on in the first place when we came in. He's quite observant.

"Yeah, exactly." I smile over my shoulder at him, and we watch the water level slowly rise in silence. I get the idea that while he's in here I should look up more in-depth information on Froakies and how to raise one. I know that he's only a few weeks old, another piece of pertinent information could be…

"Have you ever battled before?"

"Not really."

And that's all he has to say on that subject. It doesn't help to make me feel more confident about later, but at that moment the bath is finally full, so I cut off the flow of water and squeeze the contents of the plastic bottle into it, emptying around ten percent of it already before leaving it next to the sink. Froakie hops off my shoulder and I instinctively raise my hands to cover myself from the splash he'll no doubt cause, but instead, he deftly leaps to the edge of the tub and from there slips into the water without disturbing it at all.

Letting out a happy exclamation, the Pokémon dives under, causing dirt and filth to wash off him and to the surface. He emerges with another odd smile of his.

"Well, it's no Lake…Verity, was it? But I think I'll enjoy it greatly. Thanks, Victor."

"No problem." I grin back and turn to exit the bathroom and give him some privacy, but the moment I'm about to step out the door, he gets my attention again.

"Oh, by the way." I look over my shoulder and see him not even looking at me, just up at the ceiling as if in thought. "I've decided. You can call me Sheng."

I leave the door open a tad so he can slip out after he's done without me having to go back there to get him out, then head downstairs to do some research on his species on my laptop. We've still got forty-five minutes until Lisa wanted to meet back up, so there's plenty of time for him to enjoy the bath and for me to know his strengths and weaknesses.

Firstly, it would seem that most Froakies are naturally quick Pokémon, and from the looks of it, Sheng is not exception to that. Apparently, with only very little fighting experience most Froakies are capable of using the attack Bubble, but seeing as how Sheng is still young and he's had none, he's probably not at that level yet. That means he'd be mainly limited to striking his opponent with Pound, but he's not completely without defensive options, it seems. The bubbles on a Froakie's back, it would seem, are not only flexible and smooth, but they're more resilient than they look and can cushion blows very well, even if they don't look the part. Lastly, they evolve once they reach a certain level of strength in almost every single case.

I switch off the computer just in time for something to jump onto my head from behind the couch. I can't help but chuckle and reach up to pat Sheng's bubbles, also trying to get a feel of their texture. I find them to be flexible and soft, yes, but not as tough as I'd been hoping. It could cushion a fall wonderfully, sure, but not a really hard hit. Still unused or not liking it, however, he quickly jumps back down onto the floor.

"Feeling better now?" I inquire, pushing myself up from the sofa and heading to the door to grab Sheng's Pokéball again.

"Yes, thank you." He doesn't ask where we're going, or what exactly we're going to do. Overall, he seems pretty accepting of being my Pokémon, and it makes me feel bad that I pretty much force him to follow me around and such just in exchange for food and shelter. But, hey, if he's content with the agreement, I shouldn't complain. I consider taking the backpack as well, but there's nothing in it that I could use, as I don't intend to capture another Pokémon. That is, until I remember the Oran Berry. Perhaps I could give it to Sheng as a treat if he wins a fight, and show Lisa that I know what I'm doing. Well, I don't, not really.

I lean down and pick up the dark blue pack anyway, to be on the safe side, and leave the Pokéball in the main space. Sheng decides that instead of riding on my shoulder, he might as well help me get used to carrying a bag that actually weighs something and leaps onto it, facing backwards as if to be able to tell if anyone's following us.

I think we reach the Pokémon Center no sooner and no later than we'd agreed, but it still takes two minutes for Lisa to show up, and she does so at a steady jog.

"Sorry I'm late!" She pants out, placing her gloved hands on her knees. "I… got caught up watching a video Sarah sent me of how that kid from Jubilife is doing. I'm actually kind of jealous of you two. He got a Riolu as his starter and it's just so cute."

I hear an irritated sigh behind me, and Sheng's got a point. I'm starting to think Lisa would call a Feebas adorable.

"So what do you two say we head on over to Route 202 and have you win your first encounter?" The suggestion is a cheery one which makes it difficult to even consider denying.

"Alright, but on one condition." I state, and this causes Lisa to place her hands on her hips.

"What's that?"

"We walk there normally." I declare. She fakes a pout.

"Aww, but I think that the disheveled look was starting settle in nicely on you." Shaking her head, she shrugs. "Fine, whatever. Let's get going, shall we?"

We reach the exit of Sandgem Town quickly and in silence, but there's still something that's bothering me about the idea of a Journey. In a way, I suppose it's the enormity of the Sinnoh Region.

"What would you do in my position?" I ask my guide, out of the blue, and she seems to be caught off guard by the question.

"What do you mean?" There's a raised eyebrow from her as we walk, and I hear Sheng shuffling around on top of the pack to face forward and get an idea of how the landscape is. After all, he's probably never been here before.

"I mean, like, where would you go? Once I actually get the courage to leave Sandgem for good and reach Jubilife, should I head towards Floaroma or Oreburgh? What do I do along the way?"

She falls silent and furrows her brow in concentration, staring at the ground. Eventually, she looks up and sighs in mild exasperation.

"You don't have to rush your Journey, Victor. It's a very common mistake that leaves a bunch of rookie trainers overwhelmed. There's a reason why most of the best Journeys take so many years." She raises her eyebrows and stares directly at me to make sure I understand what she means, and doesn't continue until I nod in a genuine fashion. "But, to answer your question. I think you should take advantage of the fact that you've got the aid of more experienced Trainers at your disposal. Once you reach Jubilife, give any of us a call, for example, and ask what kinds of Pokémon you can find in Route 203 as opposed to 204, if you'd be interested in adding another member to your party. Obviously, we can't be aware of…" she stares over my shoulder and bites her lower lip. "Irregularities, like you finding a Froakie in Lake Verity, but we might be able to remember the native species, and Clyde and Gemma know for sure."

"You've got a point…" I concede, and she smirks in a 'damn-right-I-do' sort of way. She faces forward again and keeps leading the way, only adding "We're nearly there."

"You feeling confident about this?" I ask the Pokémon behind me, speaking lower like he said he wanted to.

"Somewhat." He replies, without much thought to it. "I've got a small grudge against Starly, anyhow. Their chirping is nice for a while, but it gets tiresome." I chuckle; he's also got a point. Especially since they love flocking together, it gets more irksome, more quickly.

We trudge up a small hill, and in the silence that ensues from me and Lisa not saying anything at all to conserve as much energy as possible, Sheng speaks up again, and his tone of preoccupation nearly makes me stumble.

"If I lose…are you going to leave me back at the lake again?"

Where'd all that confidence go all of a sudden? A little part of me feels offended that he thinks I'd do that, but he actually few reasons to trust me already when we only officially met a few hours ago.

I tap my shoulder to indicate for him to stand there for a second. He obliges and comes back into my field of view. Once we're at the top, I turn my head to face him and stare the Pokémon dead in the eyes.

"Of course not. We agreed to be partners, remember? I don't expect you to win every single battle, and it can be my fault every bit as much as it can be yours. Be that as it may, this is one fight I'm certain you can win."

I see Lisa slows down, trying to appear inconspicuous as she listens in on what I'm saying, and I notice the corner of her mouth creeps upwards in a smile. I've probably either said the right thing or made a fool out of myself, but I said what I think in complete honesty.

Sheng smiles and seems to settle down, choosing to remain on my shoulder rather than return to the pack. It's settled his doubts, but apparently, only temporarily, judging from what he says next.

"Let me know if that ever changes."

Our conversation is put to an abrupt end by an exclamation from Lisa, who's pointing at something a few feet in front of us. A Starly, indeed, just standing there in the middle of our path with its eyes fixed on us.

"That Starly is looking at you funny! That means it either hates your guts or wants to prove its strength and maybe join your team! You know what that means?"

People have been looking funny at me my entire life; it's no wonder that Pokémon are no exception. Either way, what Lisa means is clear. I nod and pat the Sheng on his bubbly back to indicate him to go forward. With an enthusiastic jump he leaps to the floor and faces off against the avian Pokémon. Lisa steps back and crosses her arms, now, all she has to do is observe. So begins my first Pokémon Battle.

It starts out peacefully, bringing to mind the expression 'calm before the storm'. On a hilltop after lunch, a sunny day with a few fluffy clouds that are reminiscent of Sheng's bubbles and the wings of an Altaria like Lisa's drifting lazily across the sky. Another moment I commit to memory. Time seems to cease advancing for a moment, everything is still.

Then, with a challenging squawk, the bird Pokémon spreads its wings and launches itself into the air, disturbing the grass of the battleground and putting Sheng on guard as I notice his legs tighten up, ready to leap at his opponent or out of the way as he sees fit…or I command, I've got to remember that we're both in this together.

As it is right now, there's not a lot I can do to help him, though, his natural reflexes are good enough to know when to dodge the Starly's attempts to hit him, although that leaves Sheng unable to counterattack in most cases, as the Starly is swift, itself. He seems to have more of an evasive fighting style, and I'll have to work with it while we're fighting together.

After it takes to the sky, it's already circling above the field and swooping down every so often to try and Scratch Sheng on the top of his head. It misses a few times, but by the seventh time it tries, things aren't looking good for us, as Froakie already has a few nasty looking marks on it while he's yet to land a Pound on Starly, though not for lack of trying, his breathing is already heavier than before from futilely swiping at the air as his opponent passes by.

Seeing that its working, the avian Pokémon emits a taunting chirp and dives down again, headed straight towards Sheng's back. The last time it tried this, he turned around and got the bird's talons in his face for it, and he probably hasn't learnt from his mistake, because his body begins to turn. Though that reminds me…

"Don't turn around, just brace yourself!" I cry. Sheng freezes in spot and I can imagine him closing his large eyes in anticipation of the pain.

Seeing it as easy prey, no doubt, the Starly tries to land another vicious Scratch across his back, but instead cries out in surprise when he find that he landed the move on the bubbly section of Sheng's back, which shields him from the blow and causes the bird to waste time trying to break his talons free of it. I think it's enough time.

"Now! Turn around while using Pound!" I exclaim.

With an affirmative 'Fro!', he raises his left arm and whirls around, slapping the Starly off him and onto the ground, and the rest of his body follows the motion and faces his opponent, now within easy reach and on the floor, probably recovering from the smack to the head.

He takes the opportunity, and, jumping up at least two feet, Sheng raises his hand again and shoves it downwards as he descends from the jump, landing a hit square on the Starly's chest, but, at the same time, the wild Pokémon panics and kicks its talons blindly, screeching out in pain. It manages to rend a few spots on the unprotected section of the frog Pokémon's chest, and get it off itself, so it manages to get up and hop a short distance away, wheezing out tiredly and lacking the energy to fly again.

The fight's on the ground now, which leaves us at a clear advantage. Starly tries to Growl intimidatingly, but the sounds that come from its hurting chest make me feel pity more than anything else. In a desperate, last-ditch attempt to win, it runs forward and hops when it is a short distance away from Sheng hoping to land an aerial Scratch across his eyes. Now, his natural speed comes in handy, and he hops back at the last moment, wincing in pain as the cuts on his chest make their presence felt. Noting that the Starly has to recover from its lunge, he cries out as he dashes forth one more time and crashes his palm right between the eyes of the wild Pokémon.

Starly squawks out again and takes a stumbling step backward from the force of the blow, shaking all over. It takes another retreating step, then its feet finally falter and it falls on its side, fainted. Unconscious, but not dead, thank goodness.

It took until then for me to realize I'd been holding my breath, and it's all released in a sigh of relief when Sheng remains steady on his feet after his opponent goes down, making him…us, the winners. I rush to his side and kneel down beside him, both to inspect the scratches on him and to congratulate him more closely. None of them look too bad right now, with only one of the marks on his chest, which heaves heavily with his breathing, dripping a little blood. I shrug off my pack and once again pat his bubbly backside. After the rough combat, though, he's got a smile on his face.

"Nice going, pal! Here…" I open and dig my hand into the pocket specialized for holding Berries, and bring out the other Oran Berry that I found along with Sheng, then hand it to him.

Beaming even more, he accepts it in both of his smaller hands and takes a deep bite out of it. He gulps it down. "Thank you. I don't think I'm ready to fight again yet, though," he says, apologetically, and then nibbles on the blue-colored berry again.

I hear movement behind me, and turn my head to see Lisa sauntering in our direction. Crouching down next to me, she brushes a few stray black hairs out of her face and holds something up for me to see. I'd recognize the familiar spray-type medicine anywhere; a Potion.

"An Oran Berry does a little to aid a Pokémon's natural recovery from minor wounds," she begins to explain as her eyes dance all over Sheng's body to find every scratch-mark, "but a Potion closes them instantly. He'll be back to full health soon, but tired nonetheless, so you should give him a break." When she's satisfied, she quickly sprays the contents of the Potion onto his body, and, before my eyes, the marks disappear and it's like he'd never been hurt at all.

We stand up, and Lisa suggests taking a walk, which also helps me get into better shape, and having maybe another battle before returning to Sandgem. She assures me that the Starly will be fine, probably will be found soon by another member of its species that may aid it and 'that's how couples are made!'.

Clambering back up to join me on my shoulder is Sheng, and, for the first time, I believe, I hear him chuckle to himself, and clearly, he revels in the feeling of victory.

"You know what? I could get used to this."

It's a nice walk we have in Route 202, mercifully free of any wild leaps down ledges on a Dodrio this time. We don't talk much along the way, though I learn that, at least in Jubilife City, they sell belts to hold your Pokéballs in the Poké Marts, and it's actually weird to her that they weren't included with the other supplies we got. Lisa points out places that would be good to pause in at night if it came to it and what types of berries would be best to eat if I found myself out of food, though she insists that she's no Pokémon Ranger.

There's another, simpler fight against a Bidoof as well, and it's won without much worries about Sheng's wellbeing, though Lisa makes a point out of telling me that I need to work on relaxing during battles, or I won't be able to give out the best orders when the time comes. Unfortunately, she can't show me what she means, "not yet", according to her, and we head back at a brisk pace while I digest the advice.

By the time we reach the Pokémon Center, the sun is sinking in the west, and I'm beat from the walking, climbing, and strolling we've done over the last few hours, and I can't imagine how tired Sheng must be. On the other hand, Lisa appears to be completely unfazed.

"Wait here," she commands me when we're passing right by the Pokémon Center, and once again she rushes into it, coming back out in a minute and a half and fully equipped. A backpack, identical to mine in a sandy orange color, hangs behind her, and it looks considerably fuller than mine. In her hands are three more of the blue plastic bags that contain Pokéblocks, and she hands them to me.

"Those are all I could spare, I'm afraid, any more and Polly would have my head for not feeding her enough later." She half-smiles in resignation.

I reach out and take the bags, before I even realize what she really means or note the tone that she's using, the kind that you use when you're bidding someone farewell. Sheng, however, does seem to notice, and he hops onto the ground between me and the Ace Trainer.

Lisa giggles, and now that I'm starting to realize that she'll be going briefly, I actually hang on to the sound of it, because I don't know when I'll hear it again, and she leans down to stroke his head a few times. Shockingly, he doesn't resist, and seems to enjoy it somewhat, despite the thick mitts of the girl.

She straightens back up, heaving a sigh, then smiles as she steps around Sheng to get to me.

"Well, I've taught you most things you need to know to be able to start out your Journey seamlessly. You don't necessary have natural skill as a Trainer, I'll admit, but anyone can form synergy with their Pokémon and you and…" she takes a second to recall, "Sheng are on the right path. Give me a call anytime, remember to loosen up during battles, and…" she leans in further and plants a solid peck on my cheek right there. I flush a deep Cheri Berry red and almost miss the end of her sentence. "Keep up the good work." Behind her, Sheng covers his mouth with a hand and snickers.

Lisa brushes off her red clothes and steps back, reaching for her belt to draw the same Ultra Ball from this morning from it. She clicks it and sends out Polly, the Altaria within. She spreads her cottony wings, glad to be set free once more, and hums loudly to the skies. When she notices the Frog Pokémon at her feet, she hums again, this time, sounding more challenging and almost mocking. Sheng frown and croaks something back before getting out of the way and onto me just in time for Lisa to get on her Pokémon's back. I see that the orange bag is on the ground (she must really hate wearing it), and the Altaria grips it with its feet, effortlessly beginning to flap and ascend. It can almost be confused with the sky, with its cerulean color and cloud-like body.

Then, for some reason, I hear it cry out loudly, and it soars away from Sandgem Town, heading north, needlessly fast, taking Lisa to a different destination. I stare after it until I lose sight of the pair, or I intend to, but something else takes my immediate attention.

Sheng suddenly kicks off me, eliciting a surprised "Hey!" from me. I remain confused for an instant, and with a small pain in my shoulder where the surprisingly powerful pairs of legs just impulse themselves, but when he turns around, I notice he's got another blue bag of food in his mouth. Our eyes meet, and we both break into a fit of giggles when we realize what happened up in the air and why Polly was so disgruntled.

After stuffing it in my bag, along with the rest of them, we, or rather, I, indolently walk towards the general direction of Sandgem Beach. Dinner at the Sanders' place is in order, and it'll make Sheng regret he was ever persuaded to join because of that scent, I'm sure.

"Hey, Victor?" He says, suddenly.

"What is it?"

"I'm not saying you shouldn't, but when someone else joins our merry little company and it's time to distribute the food, just remember who was here first."