"So, you're going on another adventure?"

"Yep."

"You sure? This isn't like Kanto."

"I'm sure."

"You want me to save some money for you after your battles? Money's important while on an adventure."

"I'm okay, mom, thanks though."

"Okay... But make sure to call me whenever you can. Especially when you arrive and leave a city!"

"I will, I will."

The woman hugged her daughter tightly. "Look at you, taking the world on again with your cute pokemon," she smiled, teasing a little. Ripley huffed, placing her hands on her hips after embracing her mother back.

"Mom," she whined; "Chikorita isn't cute. He's hardcore."

The pokemon looked at her with an oblivious smile. What's Hardcore?

Her mother handed over a large backpack. It looked like it was almost about to bust at the seems of stuff she thought she might need. "This might serve better than that dinky tote you carry around with you everywhere. I swear, you were wearing that poor thing out," she told her.

Ripley made a face, taking the luggage with gratitude, "Hey. It's my favorite bag. My Tote is pretty much the only thing close to Kanto that I can hold onto."

Seriously. She's had the thing since she started out with a Squirtle. Even though her journey was a short lived one, she still managed to use that bag up with all that it's worth. Hell, a while back, one day she decided to clean it out, maybe discover hidden items. Sure enough, Ripley managed to pull out about two pokeballs, three potions, and one antidote that had been left over. And, hey! She found her first Gym badge in there. Which was now safely pinned to her cap.

She swung the backpack over her shoulder with a grunt. Good Lord. What was in there?!

"Jeeze, mom," she said; "What did you put in here? My whole room?"

Her mother blinked, then shrugged, "What? I only put the essentials in there. Some clothes, a toothbrush, toilet paper, food, iPod, your sketch book, DS, laptop, health and feminine products."

Yep. Pretty much her whole room. She wasn't going to even question how she managed to fit all of that in there. When it came to storage, it was like playing Tetris with her mother. When there was a will, there sure as Hell was a way. And Arceus was it heavy! By the end of the journey, she'd be buff as fuck!

The woman pulled her girl into another hug that was tighter than the last time that made her almost suffocate. Ripley coughed a little, hugging her back.

"Be careful, you hear?"

"Yeah, mom. I will. Don't worry."

She eyed her daughter, "You better be." She then proceeded to usher the girl out.

Ripley laughed a little, taking this as a hint to finally get going.

Outside, she looked over to the distance. Lyra and Ethan were already waiting for her at the end of town. She grinned, waving over to them, then turned to her mom.

"I'll call when I get to Violet City," she reassured. Her mother nodded, then kissed her on the forehead, mumbling, "I'm so proud of you."

"I love you mom."

"Love you, too. Now, get going. And have fun!"

The pinkette sprinted off to her friends, giving a surprise leap onto Ethan's back. He almost fell forward with a shout.

"I give, I give!"

She laughed, "I saw you making fun of me. Don't deny it!"

He made a face, "So? It's not my fault you're a Mommy's girl-OW." She punched him in the arm, then gave a roll of her eyes. "Oh c'mon. I didn't even punch you that hard. Ya' big baby." Ethan rubbed at his arm, mocking hurt. He stuck his tongue out at her, receiving another hit, snickering.

Lyra giggled, "Don't worry, my mom was the same way. Though I think I win in this case. She barely let me out of the house. It was a miracle that I was able to convince her otherwise after a couple hours of begging or so."

"Well, the important thing is that we're all here now," Ripley said.

Ethan looped his arms around the two girls, "Well, what are we waiting for? Lets get this journey started!"

Lyra grinned, while Ripley elbowed him in the ribs a little, "We can't be traveling together the whole way if we're all competing for the same thing, doofus."

He pouted, "You're such a party pooper."

"Let's at least venture down the road together until we hit Cherrygrove. Then we'll go our separate ways," the brunette girl suggested.

Ripley thought about this. "Hm," she responded; "Doesn't sound too bad. We might as well, because Ethan here looks like he's about to bust out in tears." She smirked.

"Oi!," he retorted; "That's harsh. Don't be mean!"

"You'll live."

He shrugged, hugging the two tighter to him, "Then, it's settled! We'll all head to Cherrygrove! Then the rest we'll race to become world's best trainer!"

The pink-haired girl rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, as long as you two don't abandon me again like last time."