Arbok's eyes seemed to pierce Nick's mind as he gazed at the Pokémon that, in minutes, he could be in control of. He was by no means an expert, but from what he could tell, this creature was powerful, and in perfect health. It hissed and spat while his Elekid growled and crackled with electricity. The moment was approaching to make a move, and Nick was furiously racking his brain for his partner's attacks. Arbok swung its head forward in an intimidating way, and both boy and Pokémon sprung into action:

'Elekid! Thundershock!'

Elekid leaped forward, clenched its pulsating fists and directed a streak of power at Arbok. The serpent was stricken, but quickly writhed and spun to the ground, negating the electrical charge. Nick reacted quickly, and commanded Elekid to use its fighting-type attack, Low Kick. The little Pokémon further approached its slithery foe and jumped, spinning and aiming a kick. The cobra monster stretched its own tail up and knocked Elekid away, although it did not seem to be trying to harm it. Nick noticed that it had not actually tried to attack at all, and was simply defending itself. Elekid snarled as its trainer considered their next move.

'Alright, try a Headbutt!'

Elekid let out a cry, and darted forward, its antennae shining with energy as it headed towards Arbok, which simply swayed to one side and evaded the attack. It still wasn't attacking. Elekid pulled itself to its feet and stared at its opponent, slightly confused. Suddenly, a disembodied voice spoke from somewhere close by:

'Slam attack.'

Before Nick had time to react, Arbok sprung towards Elekid and swung its huge tail, knocking the electric-type several feet away and onto its back. Nick looked around frantically for the source of the voice, and saw an older boy emerging from the trees.

'Why are you attacking my Arbok?'

'Your Arbok?' replied Nick, flustered.

'Yes, this Arbok belongs to me,' stated the boy, coming into full sight. He had shoulder-length blond hair which curled out several inches at either side of his head, and wore a tight red jacket emblazoned with a Pokéball symbol, 'And I hope you weren't thinking of trying to steal it.'

'Oh, no! Not at all!' said Nick in a panic, 'I thought it was a wild Pokémon that I could catch for myself. I had no idea it belonged to you.'

'Well, that's alright, I guess,' sighed the boy, a hint of a smile on his face, 'But while we're here, what do you say to a battle?'

Nick thought to himself. He had never been in a battle against another trainer before, and was not sure what to say. But a sudden rush of courage determined his reply:

'Yeah, alright!'

The other boy's smile widened as he stood behind his Arbok. Elekid had recovered and dashed back to Nick's side.

'We'll each use these Pokémon,' announced the boy, suddenly adding 'Arbok, Constrict!'

The mighty cobra pounced and snatched Elekid in its tail, squeezing it tightly.

'Elekid!' cried Nick, worried. He then remembered he had to fight, 'Use Thundershock!'

Elekid's shock travelled through Arbok's body; it was too busy focusing on its own attack to defend this time. It released Elekid and slithered back, hissing. Nick took the initiative:

'Elekid, focus on your target and Headbutt!'

Elekid kicked off from the ground and soared at Arbok, slamming into its chest. Arbok hissed and flew back, collapsing. Unfortunately, it righted itself after a few moments.

'Not bad…' smirked its owner, 'But now, Arbok, use Poison Sting!'

Arbok opened its mouth and released several glowing barbs of venom. They sprayed over Elekid and jagged into it in several places. Elekid fell to its knees.

'Elekid, no! Get up, Elekid! Use Headbutt again!'

The wounded Pokémon struggled to its feet and jumped at Arbok again, but the serpent was commanded to use Slam and knocked it back to Nick's feet, unconscious.

'Elekid…'

'Good job, Arbok.' smiled his opponent, recalling it into a white ball. Nick was unsure of what to do, until he saw the other boy kneeling down by Elekid with him and taking a spray out of his own bag.

'This will heal your Elekid enough until you take it to a Pokémon Centre,' he explained, spraying the collapsed creature's body with a strong-smelling antidote.

'Oh… thank you…' mumbled Nick. It was comforting that this stranger was being so kind.

'Us Pokémon trainers have to look out for each other.' grinned his ex-opponent, as though reading his thoughts. He offered a hand.

'I'm Jay.'

'Hi, I'm Nick.' he replied, giving a smile. 'I've just become a trainer.'

'Really?' asked Jay. His tone was one of interest. 'I wouldn't have thought so from the way you battled. You certainly have potential.'

Nick had not expected such nice words.

'T-thanks!' he laughed. They got to their feet, Jay lifting the exhausted Elekid for him.

'There's a Pokémon Centre not far from here, in Jubilife City. We should take your Elekid there.'

'Yeah, I was on my way there just now when we found your Arbok.' said Nick, recalling Elekid to its ball. 'It's quite a Pokémon!' he added with a smile.

'I've had Arbok since it was an Ekans,' replied Jay as they began to follow the path to the nearby city, 'I've been training it for a few years now.'

'Do you have any others?' asked Nick, excitedly.

'Well, my parents and I just moved here from Vermilion City in Kanto. I decided to wait and start a journey properly in Sinnoh. I also had a Jigglypuff, but it didn't like to battle so it stays at home and helps my mom and dad.'

Nick had seen the Jigglypuff species while browsing research files at home; it was very cute.

'I'm going to take on the gym challenge here.'

'Gym challenge?' inquired Nick.

'Oh, come on! Don't tell me you don't know about Pokémon Gyms, or the Pokémon League?' exclaimed Jay. Nick shook his head sheepishly.

'Nope…'

'Well, I suppose you are still a noobie.' laughed Jay. 'There are eight gyms in Sinnoh, each run by a gym leader. Defeating those leaders will earn you badges, and after you have eight of those, you can enter the Pokémon League across the sea to compete to become the Champion.'

'The Champion…?' asked Nick, an excitement growing inside him.

'Yes, but only the very best trainers will succeed at the League.' nodded Jay, looking ahead. 'Let's just say you'll need a lot more training!' he added, laughing.

'Hey!' smiled Nick, as they continued through the forest and onwards to Jubilife City.

The sun was still shining down on the afternoon by the time they got there. Nick had visited it before but was always struck by its impressiveness, its tall buildings gleaming in the sun's rays like shining monuments of the city's achievement and innovation.

'You know,' said Jay, interrupting Nick's thoughts, 'Jubilife is very important for trainers. Television shows regarding Pokémon are filmed and broadcast here, and it's also where the Pokétch is manufactured.'

'Pokétch?' Nick was not fond of the seemingly condescending way in which Jay was speaking, but his curiosity overcame his dislike.

'This.' replied Jay, pulling up his sleeve to reveal a watch-like device strapped around his wrist.

'What does –'

'It has a number of functions. It can be used as a map of the Sinnoh Region, a watch, a notepad… and lots of other things, depending on which applications you install on it.'

'Sounds pretty handy,' mused Nick, 'Are they expensive?' He had enough money for food and essentials, but not for luxuries like this… although maybe this was an essential for a Pokémon trainer?

'I think you should be able to afford one. I'll take you to the company that makes them, let's go.' grinned Jay, his pace quickening slightly.

For such a populated city, Jubilife's streets were spacious, its buildings spread across the area and allowing the skies above to look down on the goings-on. They passed many people, but the pavements never seemed to be overcrowded. Jay pointed out the Pokémon Centre, which was highlighted with a bright red roof. After a short while, past several blocks, a building came into view, a large neon screen demanding the attention of anyone in sight: Pokétch – Pokémon Watches for the World!

Jay stopped, and Nick did too after a couple of extra steps.

'This is the place.' smiled Jay, folding his arms and closing his eyes.

'Can I get a Pokétch here?' asked Nick, already knowing the answer.

'Yeah…' replied Jay, peeping out one eye. 'Let's go in and get you one.'

'Okay…' mumbled Nick, worried that he would not have enough money.

They crossed the road, oddly bereft of cars, and strolled through the sliding doors. Inside was a reception area, decorated in a sickly yellow. A bored-looking girl with long bunches of dark hair sat at the desk, resting her head in her hand, and a plump man with a small moustache conversed rapidly on a telephone behind her. The receiver was put down with a byeeeee! as the two boys crossed the room, and the girl suddenly sprang up, as if pretending she had not been daydreaming, and began organising some folders. The moustachioed man's eyes lit up as he caught sight of them, and floated towards the desk, an oversized pink silk shirt rippling in the gust from the nearby fan.

'Hi, Uncle Frederic!' laughed Jay, suddenly.

'Hello, Jay!' squealed the man, his voice much higher in pitch than his large frame would have suggested. Nick looked to Jay suddenly.

'Uncle!?'

'Oh, didn't I mention?' laughed Jay, 'My uncle is the owner of the Pokétch Company.' He was using the annoying condescending tone again.

'Yes, that's me!' giggled Frederic, clapping his hands together. 'How are you, nephew? And who's your friend? What can I do for you both on this fine day?' he added, firing many questions in quick succession.

'This is Nick.' nodded Jay, and the addressed boy smiled politely. 'He's just become a trainer, and he wanted a Pokétch.'

Nick suddenly felt embarrassed, as though he was being seen as a charity case. But the man giggled again.

'Certainly! Anything for a friend of the family.' he simpered. 'Crystal! A Pokétch for this young man!' he exclaimed at the girl. She jumped in fright, glared at her boss for a moment (he paid no attention) and kneeled down to open a small door. Moments later, she rose up holding a blue Pokétch, and passed it to Frederic, who took a cord coming from a computer by his telephone and inserted it into the device. He hummed a pleasant, if off-key, tune as he worked, and minutes later spun around on his heel and thrust the watch into Nick's hand.

'All ready for use, with the latest software installed!' he explained loudly.

'T-thank you…' nodded Nick, giving a faint smile, 'But don't you want money for it?'

'No, no, no!' burst Frederic, 'Not at all! It's yours! Happy to help! Go forth and experience the wonderful world with your Pokétch!'

Nick didn't know if this man was being patronising or was annoyingly nice, but he thanked him again regardless and strapped on his new Pokétch. It was not entirely comfortable, but since it had been free, he could not complain.

'Thanks, Uncle!' smiled Jay. The man simpered again, and then turned away to the computer as if the last few minutes had never happened. The girl known as Crystal sighed and began to slouch again as Nick and Jay left the room.

A hearty meal was happily supplied by the catering staff at the Pokémon Centre that evening. In all of the excitement, Nick had forgotten to have any food, and ate with gusto. Elekid sat on the floor underneath the small square table chomping on Pokémon food, while Arbok was coiled around Jay's waist in a slumber, hissing occasionally.

'So Jay,' started Nick, taking another bite of bread, 'Where do you think I should start my journey, and where should I go for my first gym battle?'

'Well,' replied Jay, unzipping his jacket slightly in order to reveal the inside of the breast, where was attached a small shining badge, 'If you want to win one of these beauties, I recommend Oreburgh City.'

'Whoa, what is that?' asked Nick, almost choking on his noodles.

'The Coal Badge, proof of my victory over Oreburgh's Gym Leader.' smirked Jay.

'You already beat a leader?' gasped Nick.

'I sure have, and I intend to defeat a lot more of them!' exclaimed Jay. Arbok hissed again, opening an eye.

'Where is Oreburgh?'

'It'll take a couple of hours to walk there. Just follow the eastern path from this city.'

Jay suddenly stood up.

'Well, Nick, I'm going to head home for the night.'

'You are?' replied Nick, who had, for some reason, been expecting them both to travel together.

'Just for tonight,' smiled Jay, 'Why sleep in one of the lumpy Pokémon Centre beds when I live so close by? And tomorrow I'll be off on my way again!' He took a step out from the table, reached into his pocket and laid down a tiny electronic card and a small stylus.

'A Pokétch application. It allows you to write down notes so that you remember important things on your travels.'

Nick grinned and nodded to his new friend.

'Thanks! Good luck!' he laughed.

'You too, Nick!' replied the other trainer, giving a thumbs-up and a wink, 'It's gonna be fun to have you as a rival!'

And with that, he dashed off, Arbok slithering behind him. It hissed at Elekid as it went, and the electric Pokémon growled and sparked. Nick looked down at his almost-empty plate. He had not realised how far ahead Jay was; he had a lot of catching up to do. The other boy had known a lot and had been of great help, but he knew he had to start doing things on his own. He finished his meal, withdrew Elekid, and retired to the bedrooms upstairs.

Somewhere else in the city, in a darkened basement room, some people dressed in black sat around a desk. Only the cold moon, apathetic glow of the streetlights and a small, dimmed desk lamp lit the room. The outlines of Pokémon moved sinisterly in the shadows as a gruff voice spoke from beneath a hat:

'Tomorrow, we go to the next city and take the rare objects that the reports mentioned.'

'But isn't that place heavily guarded?' asked another voice, 'I heard even the Gym Leader helps protect it.'

'Enough of that!' snapped the first voice, pounding the desk, 'We can take care of some pathetic trainer. Besides, we need to "stock up" after losing so much material lately…'

'I don't know about this…' interjected a third voice.

'Silence, Duane!' bit the first voice again, 'It was your fault that we lost those specimens, so you had better help recoup our losses!'

'It wasn't my fault!' cried the one called Duane. This grievance fell on deaf ears.

'By this time tomorrow, those items will be in our possession – and then we can get back in business.'

A guttural moan and a growl came from the nearby creatures, and the people got up to leave.