Hello, all. Haji here with the next chapter. Sorry it took so long. I had finals. They were hard and grueling, but they are done now, so I write something for you all.

Enjoy.

"Andrea!"

"Hardison!"

Hardison faltered under the weight of one of his best friends, Andrea. After a minute, Andrea let Hardison go, brushing her hair back. Her face was tanned from the sun, and covered in sweat.

"How have you been?"

Hardison blushed. "I've been okay."

"I see your egg hatched." Andrea smiled and looked at Solosis, extending her hand.

Solosis was hesitant, and backed away. It snuggled closer to Hardison, and whimpered softly.

Hardison blushed harder. "Uh, she's not used to people yet. Sorry."

Andrea smiled and waved her hand. "It's no big deal. New Pokémon are like that. I guess I just got a little excited. It's been a long time."

"Yeah," Hardison paused. "So, what are you doing here?"

Andrea grinned wider. "I'm done with my adventure, Hardison. I'm just going to relax now. Maybe get a job. Something like that. And your mom called me. She told me you were getting ready to go."

"What? You didn't challenge the Elite Four?"

Andrea laughed. "No, Hardison. I was never into the Gym Circuit for the Elite Four. I was into competitive battling, but that's all done for me. My Pokemon are tired. They just want to rest. Maybe next year I'll enter a competition. Maybe you could enter with me."

"Andrea!"

Professor Juniper and Hardison's mother hurried to them.

"Hi, Professor Juniper," Andrea said. "Hi, Mrs. Curcio."

"It's been a while."

Andrea nodded. "Too long. I've decided to come home for a little bit. Just to rest and start working."

Professor Juniper smiled. "I can't wait to hear all your stories. But, I believe you and Hardison have something you need to do. Something you promised each other."

Andrea nodded and grabbed Hardison's hand. "I fully intend to keep that promise."

Hardison let Andrea guide him to the entrance of Route 1. Mightyena barked from the window of his house as they passed, and slipped out the back door. It sniffed around Andrea's feet and hummed softly as Andrea scratched its ears.

"Oh, yeah, my dad wants Mightyena to stay with me on the way." Hardison patted Mightyena. "He's really worried about me."

Mightyena hung back as Andrea and Hardison stood at the edge of town.

"Well, this is it," Andrea said. "Finally being able to take the first steps towards Route 1 together. This was a long time coming."

And, together, they took one step.

Hardison's heart flew away at that moment. He let go of Andrea's hand and threw his hands in the air.

"FREEDOM!"

"Calm down, Hardison." Andrea said. "You know I'm not going to let you leave without warning you."

Hardison let his arms fall to his sides, Solosis hid behind him. "What do you mean?"

Andrea sighed. "It's hard out there. Just make sure you be careful. Not everyone follows the rules, and not everyone cares about your pokemon. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I promise I'll stay safe." Hardison raised his right hand. "I'm only going to sight-see. I'll be gone for a year. Then I'll come back."

Andrea hugged Hardsion tightly. "Just don't get sidetracked. It's really easy to forget what you went on your journey for. God knows I did."

"Okay, I'll stay focused. A hundred percent."

"Oh, and when you make it to Dragonspiral Tower, make sure you take pictures. It's the most gorgeous place you'll ever see."

"Will do."

"And don't let anyone tell you you can't be the best."

"I won't."

"And make sure you don't stray off the road, or you'll get lost."

"Andrea!" Hardison said. "I got this. I'll be fine."

Andrea opened her mouth, but closed it quickly. "I'm sorry, it's just, this was supposed to be different. But, I have something for you."

She fished around in her pocket for a little bit before pulling out a sleek black device. She handed it to Hardison, who accepted it gratefully.

"What's this?"

"It's my Pokedex," Andrea said. "It's not completely finished, but I was thinking it might make your trip a little easier. It has a whole bunch of Pokemon in there, and useful information, and maps. I think you might need it more than me at this point. You can have it."

Hardison beamed. "Thanks. I'll take good care of it for you."

"Okay, now go on, you have a million things you have to see. Just, call every once and a while."

"You sound just like my mom," Hardison said. "I'll be okay. I promise."

Andrea stood there and bowed. "Have fun. I'll see you when you get back."

"Bye, Andrea."

"Oh, Hardison?"

"Andrea…"

"When you get back, I want to have a battle with you. Single, Straight Three, Launcher On."

"Okay, you're on."

Hardison spun around. The tall grass blew in the light breeze and the sun sat at its highest point. Solosis floated at his side and they ran down the road.

"Oh, this is so exciting Solosis," Hardsion cried as Nevuma Town grew smaller and smaller the farther he traveled.

"Sol!"

As soon as the tall grass became forest, Hardison slowed down to a walk. He wanted to get away from Nevuma, but he didn't want to rush his adventure. He pulled out the Pokedex and looked at it. It had a small pattern etched on the top in a faded pink. He looked it over, and opened it carefully. The screen blinked on and flashed a couple of times before opening to a list.

Hardison scrolled though the list for a while, whispering the names of the different Pokemon. Solosis stayed close by, still apprehensive about leaving Hardison more than a few feet behind.

"Hey, Solosis. Maybe we should train for a little bit."

"Sol?"

"What do you say?" Hardison ran ahead. "Let's train."

Solosis flitted after him, calling him back. Hardison moved some of the tall grass around, looked behind some trees, and turned some rocks over. Nothing.

"I guess the Pokemon are napping?" Hardison looked at Solosis, who shook in confusion. "Aww well. Maybe later, then?"

Solosis chirped excitedly and nudged Hardison. Its chirping echoed in the air for a while, and it wasn't until Hardison and Solosis turned around, that it was answered.

"Patrat!"

Hardison turned back. "Oh! Hey, Solosis. A Pokemon."

"Patrat!"

Hardison pulled out his Pokedex. "So, how does this work?" He pointed it towards the grass as a small brown rodent popped out.

"Patrat!"

Patrat: The Scout Pokemon. Patrat usually travel in large packs. In order to communicate, they swish their tails back and forth in a hypnotic rhythm.

"Okay, Solosis." Hardison pointed at Patrat. "Use Psywave."

Solosis stared at Haridson.

"Sol?"

Hardison frowned. "Solosis, use Psywave?"

Solosis stared at Patrat and shook its head. Patrat growled and moved its tail in annoyance. Solosis backed away.

"Come on, Solosis," Hardison begged. "Use Psywave. You can do it."

Solosis shuddered and flopped to the ground, throwing up a shield of light around its body. Hardison panicked briefly as Patrat growled again, and tackled Solosis while it was still flopping around.

"Hey, that's not fair," Hardison yelled.

Patrat looked at him and growled.

"Pat!"

Hardison stood tall. "You don't scare me. Solosis, use Psywave!"

Solosis shuddered again and released a blast of energy. Patrat flicked its tail again. Hardison paled. Solosis moved in between Hardison and Patrat.

"Sol!" It cried angrily.

"Patrat!"

Hardison grit his teeth. "Why is this not working?"

Solosis puffed itself out as Patrat tackled it. It barely moved, but Patrat was working itself up and tackled again without hesitation. Solosis fumbled and tried to release another blast of energy, but it didn't do much besides agitate Patrat more.

Hardison growled angrily. "Come on."

Another voice answered him. "Oshawott, use Tackle."

From behind, a small blue and white creature rushed past him and knocked Patrat away.

"Use Tail Whip!"

Oshawott turned on its feet and thwacked Patrat away with its tail and tackled it again.

"Good job, Oshawott."

Hardsion frowned as a younger child pushed past him. He looked to be about thirteen years old, but he had this arrogance about him that instantly got under Hardison's skin.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

The boy ignored him. "Oshawott, use Water Gun."

Oshawott spun elegantly and opened its mouth. A jet of water pushed Patrat back farther, and it fell to the ground, soaked. The boy looked at Hardison warily.

"You're not very good at this, are you?"

Hardison flushed. "What are you talking about?"

"Your Pokemon didn't listen to you at all." He said. "In fact, it barely did anything to protect itself. Why are you even out here if you can't fend for yourself?"

"You leave Solosis alone." Hardison warned.

"Says who? You?" the boy laughed. "That's funny. You shouldn't talk, your Pokemon can't even beat a Patrat. That's pathetic."

"Look, this is my first time out, get lost."

The boy laughed harder. "What kind of starter is Solosis? I mean, it doesn't even know how to use its own moves. Did you teach it anything before you left?"

Hardison frowned. "Teach it?"

"Duh," the boy motioned to Oshawott. "I didn't leave until I had successfully taught Oshawott Water Gun. The Pokemon don't just know the moves, someone has to teach it. In the wild, it's the mothers, in training, it's the trainers. Get with the program."

"Who are you?"

"The name's Garret." The boy motioned to Oshawott again. "And this is Oshawott."

"Osha!"

Hardison furrowed his brow. "Hardison. And this is Solosis."

"Sol!"

"Well, Hardison, you better teach Solosis quick, or you won't make it out here. See ya, if you have the guts to do anything."

Garret pushed past Hardison, Oshawott following closely. Solosis glanced at Hardison after silence fell around them again. It turned a pale shade of dusty pink, blushing in embarrassment.

"It's okay, Solosis," Hardison said reassuringly. "We'll just have to learn to do this on our own. Come on."

Solosis flitted in stride with Hardison and he searched for a place to put his things down. He dropped his backpack by the base of a tree and fished around inside.

"Do I still have that book?"

After a few minutes, he pulled out the same book he had been reading to an egg not that long ago. He cracked it open again and flipped through some of the pages. Solosis tried to read with him, but only managed to knock the book out of his hands.

"Solosis, calm down." Hardison picked up the book again. "It says in order to help you, I need to teach you how to use your moves. But, I don't know how to teach you a Psychic move. I'm not a Psychic Pokemon."

Solosis shuddered. A thin film of purple light formed around it, but it dissipated instantly.

Hardison grabbed Solosis and stared it down, making faces as he focused as hard as he could. "You just gotta focus," he growled. "Like this. You see what I'm doing? Focus!"

Solosis copied him, making faces as it concentrated, but after a second, it burst out in a tiny laugh. Hardison scrunched his face up more in an effort to get Solosis to do the same, but he only succeeded in making it laugh more.

It was such a gentle sound, so pure, and it rang with the sound of bells in Hardison's head.

"Come on, Solosis. Focus!"

Solosis stopped laughing and stared at Hardison again. It made a small face as the thin film of purple light reformed, and it grew stronger, until Solosis released it, and knocked Hardison right off the ground.

Hardison rolled in the dirt into the grass, clutching his face. Solosis followed him, crying pitifully. Hardison sighed as the world stopped spinning. His eyes glazed over and he sat up slowly.

"Good job, Solosis." Hardison blinked slowly. "Just like that. I think we're done."

Solosis nudged him gently. Hardison tried to stand, but a throbbing pain in his head debilitated him. Solosis whimpered.

"I'm okay," Hardison said. "Really. It's just…a headache. I just need to close my eyes."

Solosis nestled on Hardison's chest as he closed his eyes. His world was still spinning and he keep seeing flashes of purple and green. The weight on his chest was comforting, and he drifted to sleep.

He was in a misty fog, surrounded by the sound of bells. He could only see vague outlines of people around him, and the smell berries lingered in the air. He didn't move, nor was he aware of what was really happening, until he heard the voices of other people interrupt him.

Hardison cracked his eyes open and sat up quickly. Solosis rolled off his chest and bounced along the ground.

"Solosis!" Hardison cried. "How long was I asleep?"

Solosis pressed itself to him, and he felt this sadness wash over him. Night had fallen. The previous blissful silence from he afternoon—the chirping bird Pokemon, the rustle of tall grass, the light breeze—it was gone. All there was eerie silence.

"Solosis?" Hardison whispered. "Stay close."

Solosis obeyed, staying near Hardison. Hardison moved back to the tree where his backpack was still sitting, surprisingly undisturbed. He picked it up and slung it over his back. He looked at the dirt on his clothes and brushed himself off, grumbling quietly.

"Come on, we should find somewhere safe to hide out until sunrise. I'm sorry, buddy, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

Solosis nodded and moved forward. Hardison stayed close, keeping his eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Awkward movements, rustling grass, nighttime trainers. So far, his journey didn't start out too well. Solosis couldn't really use any attack moves. He hadn't even bothered to ask about teaching Pokemon moves. And, as he looked around at the dark grass and trees, he realized with a gasp that he was undoubtedly lost.

"Solosis," Hardison breathed. "I think we might be lost."

"Sol?" Solosis squeaked.

"But only until the morning!" Hardison said quickly, feeling at once that fear. "I'll be able to tell where we are then. I promise. I think trainers are just sleeping now. Or they went to some hotel somewhere or something. Accumula Town is north. Maybe we should head that way."

Hardison pointed forward, then to the left, then the right. He let his hand fall indecisively. Solosis perked up and flitted forward, then lurched to the right into the grass.

"Solosis! Wait up!" Hardison cried as he rushed after it. "You can't just go into the grass!"

"Solosis."

Hardison followed the sound of his Pokemon's voice as it traveled farther and farther away. Soon enough, he was met with silence. And it pressed at him from all angles. He sank to his knees.

"Solosis!"

"Shhhh!"

Hardison spun around and Garret came from a patch of grass. He looked tired and angry.

"Shut up!" Garret spat. "Are you trying to wake everything up?"

"Did you see my Solosis?" Hardison asked. "It went by you just now."

Garret folded his arms. "I don't care about your stupid Solosis. I'm looking for strong Pokemon to catch."

Hardison pushed Garret. "Well, if you're not going to help, get out of my way. I have to find her."

Garret hissed at him. "You have to shut up. You'll scare the Pokemon away. If you don't stay quiet, I'll have to kick your ass in battle. And you don't want that."

Hardison growled. "I just told you I can't find my Solosis. Why would you battle me?"

Garret huffed. "Because, you're really getting on my nerves. I wanna see your license."

"Oh, don't do this to me right now!" Hardison roared. "I don't have time for this!"

Garret snarled back. "I don't care. You have to show me your license."

Hardison dug in his pocket and pulled out his card. He shoved it under Garret's nose and pushed him.

"There. You happy?" Hardison stuffed his card back in his pocket. "Now will you just—"

Garret crashed into Hardison with full force. "How dare you talk to me like that? I'm a better trainer than you."

Hardison struggled to push Garret away. "What's your problem? I don't even want to be a trainer. I just want to travel. Get over yourself."

Garret hopped to his feet. "Fine, be that way. I challenge you to a battle, Hardison. Go, Oshawott!"

The dark trees were briefly lit by the flash light as Oshawott leapt forward. It swayed from side to side, ready for battle.

"Osha!"

Hardison frowned and panicked inside. He hadn't been able to find Solosis and he had no other Pokemon with him. He reached for his belt, feigning preparation, but not long after he unhooked an empty pokeball, there was a symphony of growls behind him. Hardison turned around slowly, and dozens of pairs of yellow and red eyes were staring at him.

They were Patrat. A whole pack of them, and they were all growling angrily. Garret froze, as did Oshawott. Hardison gasped softly.

"Uh, we didn't mean to disturb you," Hardison whispered. "We were just going to have a battle."

The first to emerge from the grass was the same Patrat that Garret had attacked mercilessly earlier. Its fur was still soaked, and it looked bigger than when they had seen it last. It appeared to be the leader of the pack, and it stood still, readying itself for a fight.

Garret shook slightly. "Oshawott, use Water Gun."

Oshawott stayed in place, trying to shake its fear, and it shot the Patrat with a stream of water. The water rained overhead, but did not hit any of the Patrat fatally. Garret called Oshawott back and fled.

"You're on your own."

Hardison jumped and ran after him.

"You can't leave me behind like that!"

Garret rounded a corner and ran faster. "Don't follow me!"

Hardison glanced over his shoulder as the Patrat all followed him. Some were faster than others, and they hopped over the stragglers in an all out ambush. Their growls and cries sliced through the air, alerting other sleeping Pokemon.

"Solosis!" Hardison cried. "Where are you?"

Garret began to slow down as fatigue took him, and Hardison wasn't that far behind. He tried to help Garret run, but they were both tired, and the Patrat weren't slowing down.

Garret wheezed and tripped over his feet in panic. His Oshawott skidded to a halt and turned, shooting another Water Gun at the Patrat. Some of the Patrat fell and scurried away, but the ones that didn't were quickly gaining speed.

"Solosis!"

Garret scrambled to his feet. "Stop calling your stupid Pokemon, it's not coming."

Hardison stopped. "Yes, it will. I know it will."

Garret stopped too. "Screw this. Oshawott, use Tackle."

Oshawott jumped forward and hit the closest Patrat. It fell, and another took its place. This one bit Oshawott and growled immediately afterward. Oshawott struggled against it and whacked it with its tail.

"Pat!"

"Oshawott!"

Garret stomped his foot. "Oshawott, use Tackle on more time!"

Oshawott pushed Patrat away and rammed into it. It faltered and almost fell, but it caught itself and tackled Oshawott back.

"Patrat!"

Hardison searched frantically for something he could throw. He figured that if he couldn't use a Pokemon to fight for him, he might as well join in. He picked up a rock and threw it with all his might at the Patrat. It hit it and it instantly turned its attention to him.

"Pat!"

Hardison instantly regretted his actions and backed away. Garret recalled Oshawott and fled again. Hardison threw his hands up.

"I didn't mean to cause trouble. I just wanted to go on an adventure."

"Pat!"

"Sol!"

Hardison tensed as Solosis rolled out of the grass. It appeared slightly beaten, but it exuded an air of confidence. Confidence that it didn't have before.

"Sol!" Solosis looked at Hardison and nodded.

Hardison smiled. "Solosis, use Psywave!"

Solosis was cloaked in a flash of purple light, and it shot forward in a wave. The closest Patrat fell back, and was carried off by the others. Solosis cheered, but quickly grew serious as one last Patrat stood before them. Hardison glared at it, and it glared back.

"Solosis," Hardison commanded. "Use Reflect."

Solosis was enveloped in light and it charged forward, rolling slightly. As it collided with Patrat, the Patrat flew back. It jumped to its feet and tackled Solosis quickly, not giving up its fight. Solosis reeled away, but rolled into Patrat again, this time, with more force.

Hardison could hardly believe what he was watching. His Solosis, his friend, was battling for him, to protect him. And he felt this well of confidence in his chest. He felt powerful, strong. Independent for the first time. And he had just won his first fight.

Patrat lay still, not moving. It was too weak to fight, and Solosis eased to the ground, exhausted as well. Hardison jumped in victory.

"Yes!" He cried. "We did it, Solosis!"

"Sol!"

Hardison hugged Solosis to him. Solosis warmed up and snuggled him excitedly, but slowed to a near stop.

Hardison frowned slightly. "Oh, you're hurt. I have a potion."

He dug around in his backpack and pulled out a bottle. He looked at it briefly, unsure how to administer it, but he squeezed the trigger and it coated Solosis with a mist. Solosis instantly felt better, but looked at the Patrat. Hardison sighed and approached the defeated Pokemon slowly.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said. Patrat didn't move. "I just want to spray you with this."

He sprayed Patrat, and it jumped up a second later.

"Pat!"

It stared at Hardison for a long time before jumping in place and running away. Hardison sighed.

"Okay," He muttered. "No more late night battles."

Solosis closed its eyes and settled in Hardison's arms, drifting to sleep.

"Sol…"

Pretty standard stuff. It took me all day to write this, and I didn't bother editing, because I rarely edit. That will explain any missed typos.

I'm so happy finals are over. I'll be updating more frequently now. No more three week waits.

Has a nice day. :)