Chapter 2 - The First Choice

Well here is the second chapter of this story i hope you enjoy it. I guess it's time to reveal that the underlying story will follow an almost remastery of the story from the black and white. Not that it needs it because the story in those games was fantastic. I will just be altering things to make the fanfiction more about Cynthia's growth as a person.

I assume you can all easily work out what's going to happen in this chapter so please enjoy it.

Don't forget to fave and follow for more and please review because it make my writing so much better.

Cynthia looked directly at Markus, "Yes, but I have to get better for my pokémon's sake. Markus, I want you to help me become a better trainer. If… If it is not too much trouble would … Would you go on a journey with me?"

Sophie gasped from behind the bar, enjoying the drama unfold before her.

"Wait what!?" Markus asked shocked.

"Well, you said I was lacking sufficient bonds between me and my pokémon and you seem to be an expert, so I want you to help me." Cynthia explained as if it was obvious.

"Urm, okay I understand what you're saying but what about Agatha?" Markus said still recovering slightly.

"That old hag, I'm fed up with her, I believe I would learn more with you." Cynthia said with an angry frown, Markus could tell she held some resentment to the woman.

"Wow, Well I am deeply complimented, I mean it's not every day I am told that I'm better than a member of Sinnoh's elite four."

"So you knew?"

"Of course I knew, she's incredible, some of her moves have really inspired mine." There was a moment of silence as Cynthia finished her first sundae.

"From what I've heard the Unova region is pretty nice and it has an awesome pokémon league." Markus pondered.

"So you're considering it?" Cynthia said trying not to reveal how glad she was.

"Well, I do have a few things to sort out first and I am in the middle of my vacation but yeh, I guess I am. I was wondering what I should do next I guess you've given me the perfect opportunity."

Cynthia stood up and bowed politely. "So it's a deal then."

"Woah hold on, I do have some conditions though, first you need to apologise to your pokémon for the way you have treated them."

Cynthia looked guilty again "Of course."

"Second, on this new adventure you must travel with totally new pokémon."

Cynthia looked rather confused at his request. "Urm, how can I build the bonds with my pokémon if I don't take them with me?"

"You will build your bonds with them when you get back. The best thing when setting off on a new adventure is to draw on a clean slate, that's what Professor Sycamore told me." Markus said trying to sound wise. This was actually one of the reasons he was here, after his holiday he planned on starting a new adventure with new pokémon, this holiday was almost like the finale of his and his pokémon's journey around Kalos.

"If you don't mind can I at least take Gabite with me she is my oldest companion and I can't imagine life without her looking out for me."

"Fine, as long as Gabite agrees." Cynthia nodded. "Good, that's settled then…" There was another awkward silence. "Listen I'm going to head off, I need to arrange some things. You spend some time with your pokémon. I'll meet you here tomorrow at around 10 o' clock in the morning… And don't forget to tell Agatha." Markus said as he stood up.

"Okay, I'll be here." The young woman said her nerves were now racking up, or was it excitement, even so she had never felt such an odd sensation in her life, in fact she felt like a child again. Markus waved goodbye as he left the café. Leaving her alone with Sophie.

"Really Cynth, you've only just met the guy and you're asking him on an adventure, talk about taking it too fast."

"Shut it, Soph," Cynthia sternly told her friend.

"Still, he's pretty good looking if you hadn't snapped him up I know I would have." Sophie said before she opened her eyes and met Cynthia's furious eyes. "Pretend I didn't say anything." She said shrinking away behind the bar.

(…)

That evening as the sun set Cynthia stood bare foot on the beach. She had always loved the feeling of the ocean washing over her feet. She turned to face the town before fumbling with her pokéballs. Now was the time. She threw six pokéballs into the air they all burst and her prized team stood on the beach. Gabite, Gastrodon, Staraptor, Roserade, Glaceon and Infernape all stood in front of her, somehow they knew that they were out for a different reason than normal. Cynthia turned back to face the sea. She opened her mouth and realised she had no idea what to say, in the end she decided to put it bluntly.

"Guys, I'm going to head out on a new adventure and I'm afraid I will only be taking Gabite with me." Her eyes began to sting as they watered, "I'm going to send you all to Professor Rowan until I need you again." The pokémon stayed silently watching their trainer. "This isn't your fault, it's mine and that's why... before you go… I wanted to apologise for everything that I've done and to thank you. Thank you for putting up with me for the past year, I have pushed you to your limits with no thought for what you felt or what you wanted, I have abused you, called you weak, to me you were tools and not companions. And so I also want to say I am so so sorry for everything I put you through, I don't deserve to be your trainer and if you want to leave, I won't stop you. But I am working to fix this and I would like to see you all again in the near future, as friends and companions not as means to an end. So I guess this is a goodbye for now." Cynthia turned to her pokémon surprised to see they were all also tearing up. She was totally surprised when all six of them ran up to her in a great hug. Cynthia was so overwhelmed with emotion that she let forward another flood of tears. "Thank you… My friends." She cried.

(…)

Still emotional but with a sense of closure, Cynthia returned to Rosewood Manor, she walked into the main hall where she was greeted by Agatha who was standing at the top of the stairs.

"And where have you been all day?" She asked.

"Sorting something out."

"Oh and what might that be?"

"It's a long story come with me into the living room and I will explain." Agatha walked down the stairs and followed the teenager into the room.

(…)

After Cynthia had explained what was happening, Agatha smiled at the teenager.

"Finally!" Agatha cheered unexepectedly, jumping out of ner seat. "Finally I have managed to teach you what was missing from your battling,"

"Wait you're not mad?"

"Mad, I'm furious not just anybody just abandons my training to go gallivanting on an adventure with some stranger but then again, you're not just anybody are you?"

Agatha sighed, "Honestly I'm happy for you child, this adventure will do you good, and I look forward to seeing how much you've grown afterwards,"

"Thank you Agatha." Cynthia said hugging the woman, surprising her

"So tell me where are all your pokémon?"

"Only Gabite will be coming with me, the rest are already with Professor Rowan. Markus said it is best to start on a new slate."

"Hmm I guess he's right, smart boy that one. Don't tell him I said that."

"Don't worry I won't." Cynthia chuckled,

"Humph, you look happier already, it has been a while since I've heard that laugh."

"Well, I guess I am happy, and excited and nervous, it's going to be hard work but I think... I can do this."

"I'm glad for you. Well, all this excitement is making me tired, I'll see you off tomorrow. Hmm, a grand adventure with your pokémon and a good looking young lad, reminds me of my younger days, cherish these moments Cynthia. Good night."

"The journey has nothing to do with the good looking lad!" Cynthia called angrily but Agatha was already gone. "He's not even that good looking." She told herself.

(…)

Cynthia stood at the entrance to the small café they had entered yesterday a nearby clock read 10:45 making Cynthia rather impatient. Cynthia was already in her travelling gear consisting of a large backpack, a simple black vest top and some white Capri shorts. "What's taking so long?" She said out loud, conscious of the fact that Sophie was beginning to think that she was being stood up. Just as the thought crossed her mind she heard a yell from the left. She turned and saw Markus running madly towards her, he was also in travelling gear, he wore a white t-shirt with beige combat shorts, tied around his waist was a green duffle coat. A beige scarf that hung loosely round his neck, he hadn't worn it yesterday but she had to admit it suited him. He stopped in front of her trying to catch his breath.

"You're late." Cynthia stated.

"Yeh… I know… Sorry, my alarm… didn't go off."

"I see? So what now?" Cynthia asked, she was confused as to what the young man was planning next.

"That." Markus simply stated pointing up at a small sea-plane that flew overhead. It performed a U-turn before landing at the closest pier.

Markus ran over to greet it, Cynthia followed at a walking pace waving good-bye to her recent friend in the ice cream shop, who gave her a knowing wink as she left.

As she reached the end of the pier she saw that Markus was talking to a middle-aged man with enormous eyebrows and brown hair styled in a neat quiff.

"Ahh, you must be Cynthia, it's good to meet you, my name is Professor Juniper, I have been told quite a bit about you from Professor Rowan."

"Urm, it's nice to meet you."

"Mmm likewise. So Professor Sycamore contacted me last night telling me that his star protégé and his friend wanted to start a new adventure here in Unova. Of course I said yes but first things first you will need your first pokémon, unfortunately I didn't bring them with me so we are going to set off back to Nuvema town where my lab is if you don't mind."

"Sounds good prof." Markus grinned. Cynthia nodded, gradually becoming more nervous. Probably sensing this, Markus turned and smiled at her comforting her nerves slightly.

(…)

The plane quickly set off flying directly south to reach Professor Juniper's lab, the plane journey was incredibly awkward made so by Juniper's awfully inappropriate questions to Markus, it seemed to be an odd quirk of his. Markus just smiled embarrassed and attempted to answer the questions as best he could. Cynthia sighed and looked out the window, watching as the odd flying type pokémon soared past the window. Below her the Unova region lay spread out like a map.

(…)

It was late afternoon when their plane landed on a strip near Juniper's lab. Cynthia left the plane and looked over the fields surrounding them. The area was beautifully rural with a complex simplicity that made the landscape seem so picturesque and peaceful. Cynthia was surprised at how she was viewing the world now, it had been a while since she had truly taken in a landscape as she had always been set on getting from one place to another as quickly as possible. For this reason she rarely took in her surroundings and missed out on the incredible wonders the world had to offer. Markus flew out the plane almost knocking her down the stairs he landed with a thump on the earth just off the landing strip and gazed out at the scenery with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey prof. That's your lab over there right?" He yelled at the professor as he climbed out of the plane.

"That's right just don't…"

"Hey Cynthia I'll race you there!" Markus interrupted the professor and ran off before he could even finished his sentence. "Rush ahead. Ugh, Sycamore warned me about this, you've got your work cut out for you Cynthia."

Cynthia stayed silent as she watched the teenage boy run off over the hills, surprised by how excited he was.

"Well, I guess we ought to catch up before he meets my daughter."

"Why? Who's your daughter?"

"Her name's Aurea, let's just say she gets rather… Excitable around guys." Juniper explained.

(…)

This was it, Markus hadn't felt this way in ages, the feeling of setting off on a new adventure with new friends to be made and a pokémon league to be won. Of course that wasn't his only reason for coming on this trip, he intended to hold true to his promise and show Cynthia how important bonds between her and her pokémon were. Still the whole adventure really excited him, and he was so happy that he would actually have a travelling companion. Going round Kalos had felt lonely for him as he had always struggled to make friends with anyone but his pokémon. Still, it had never held him back. Markus reached the top of the hill and looked down to see Juniper's lab just outside of town. The fields around the rather modern lab were filled with pokémon local to the Unova region, Markus looked at them all as he walked past them, not knowing any of their names, types or the potentials hidden inside the pokémon. He soon reached the front door and took a deep breath. He looked behind him to see that neither Juniper nor Cynthia had managed to keep up. Shrugging he opened the door and entered the building.

The room was well lit and filled with all kinds of machinery and computers. Markus entered and gazed at the complex machines trying to guess each of their various functions, he was convinced the one in the corner was a walking death robot. After a second he called out,

"Anybody home? I'm here to receive a pokémon." After a moment of silence he heard a clatter coming from upstairs. He scratched his head and followed the clattering throughout the building. Suddenly some automatic doors opened at the other end of the room and a teenager with short, light brown hair stood in the door way wearing a green vest top and an open lab coat. Her hair was slightly dishevelled and her glasses were crooked. Markus could tell from a glance she had just woken up.

"Where's my dad?" She asked.

"Do you mean the professor? He's on his way now."

"Phew, don't let him know I was asleep 'kay." The young woman said as she straightened her hair and glasses.

"Urm, okay, I won't tell." Markus said as the teenager walked up to him. She quickly took him by the hand and led him to a chair, pushing him in it roughly before taking up her own.

"So what's your name stranger?" She asked looking straight into his eyes with avid interest,

"Um, Markus, I'm here to receive my first pokémon in the Unova region."

"Yes, yes I know. You cute boys are all here for the same reason, to get your first pokémon and set off on a whirlwind adventure without even inviting the beautiful woman who introduced you." The woman said dramatically.

"And you are?" Markus asked.

"Oh, how rude of me, my name is Aurea Juniper. It is definately a pleasure to meet you." The teen said in a tone that made Markus unusually uncomfortable. "So Markus. Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself." she said. For the third time this week Markus felt like he was being interviewed first by Agatha, then the professor and now the professor's daughter.

"Well, I come from Kalos, went on my first journey there making it to the third round of the pokémon league."

"Oh, so you're strong then, I bet you could give me a run for my money?" Aurea said crossing her legs beneath her pencil skirt.

"Urm, maybe, anyway now I am going on a new journey with some girl who at first I hated but actually I want to help her become a better person so I guess it's good." Markus awkwardly explained not sure why he was telling this strange woman all these things.

"Oh so there's already a woman in your life huh? Is she pretty? Is she a match for me?" Aurea asked, all of a sudden very close to Markus' face.

Markus was really uncomfortable and had no idea how to reply to the woman who was very persistent in her unusual questions, a trait she obviously received from her dad.

With a small whine the front door opened and Markus was incredibly relieved to see Cynthia and the professor walk in.

"Alright Aurea, leave the poor boy alone and go round up the starter pokémon."

Aurea frowned, "We'll finish this later." She directed at Markus. Cynthia was looking out the window and didn't see the demonic glance Aurea offered her as she left.

"Sorry if she gave you a hard time. She's like that with everyone," Juniper offered.

"Don't worry about it prof, besides she's nice." Markus said politely.

"Careful my daughter has crushed the souls of many lads who have said just the same." Juniper warned. "Anyway onto a different subject, your first pokémon. Now you've both been on journeys before so you know how this goes. You are given the choice of three pokémon to be your first companion in the Unova region, you are to raise and care for them as you set off on your adventure and build bonds of trust with them by battling or performing. Whatever you choose will no doubt bring you closer to your pokémon."

Cynthia got a severe sense of déjà vu, professor Rowan had said something very similar when she had received Chimchar, and of course she remembered ignoring his advice and later paying the price. This time she seared the words into her mind.

"Now, we are in fact waiting for one more new trainer, I trust you will give him a warm welcome into the life of a trainer when he arrives." Just as he said this the front doors opened again a young man walked in, he must have been the same age as Markus and Cynthia judging by his height. He walked in with an incredibly bored expression his eyes slightly hidden by huge black impossibly spiky hair, he was wearing baggy ripped jeans and a red tracksuit also carrying a brown bag on his back. His bored, dark eyes gazed over the three people in the room silently judging them by their appearances.

"Ah, Jason it's good to see you, you must be excited to get your first pokémon. Now I should introduce you, this is Cynthia of the Sinnoh region and Markus of the Kalos region, they too are both starting their own journeys." Juniper said. Jason sighed before nodding at the two of them.

The doors at the other end of the room opened and Aurea came in. "They're ready now, they all look rather excited to meet their new trainers." Aurea said.

"Well that's good, now Markus I guess you got here first so you get first pick. That seems fair." Juniper said.

"Alright! Thanks professor, I'll be back in a minute." Markus said running off to join Aurea.

Markus walked with Aurea down the corridor, too excited to notice how close Aurea was to him. Quickly Aurea turned on her heels and faced Markus.

"So, you ready hot stuff?" She asked bending down to give him a good view of her growing cleavage. Markus blushed and nodded trying to avoid looking down.

"Right in here then." She gestured for Markus to enter.

The room was quite similar to the last, filled with machines, in the centre was a long table that held three pokéballs, stood in front of these pokéballs were three pokémon.

"Now these are the three starters of the Unova region, make sure you choose the one that feels right for you okay."

"Right."

Markus looked at the first. "That is the sea otter pokémon, Oshawott, a water type. This particular one has a very serious nature." The Oshawott glared at the new trainer trying to determine how worthy he was.

"Nice to meet you Oshawott." Markus said holding out his hand. The Oshawott looked at the hand before turning his head away with a firm "wott."

Markus chuckled. "I guess you don't make friends easy." He then turned to the second pokémon, it was definitely a grass type and she looked fast as well.

"This one is Snivy, the grass snake pokémon, she joined us very recently from what we can tell she has had very little human contact." Markus agreed with Aurea, the Snivy did look quite nervous to be here. Even so she must have volunteered for this so I guess it was a step in the right direction. Markus bent down to the small pokémon's level smiling at it.

"It's nice to meet you too, Snivy." The Snivy looked to Yasmin, who nodded, before taking Markus' hand with her tail leaf and smiling slightly.

The third pokémon was orange and brown in coloration and was a third pokémon Markus had never met.

"This last one is Tepig, a fire type. I should warn you he's a bit of a glutton." Tepig snorted at her offended, releasing embers from his snout.

"Ha your quite feisty as well aren't you Tepig." The Tepig turned and nodded at Markus smiling accepting a small pat from the trainer.

Markus stepped back and looked at the three pokémon. It didn't take long for him to make his decision. He knelt down in front of Snivy.

"Hey, I realise your quite nervous but I would love it if you would join me on my journey of course it is your choice too, there are two other trainers who I'm sure will do a great job of raising you so if you do not want to come I will understand." The Snivy looked into Markus' eyes attempting to read him. The Snivy smiled and walked up to Markus nervously she nodded at the trainer who smiled back and took the pokéball. "Snivy, let's make some great memories alright." Snivy called out agreeing with her new trainer. "Snivy, return." Markus said and Snivy disappeared into the pokéball.

"Fantastic let's send you back and get the next one in." Aurea stated.

"Sounds good, thank you Aurea."

"There is really no need to thank me, I hope you enjoy your adventure. Even if it is with her." She finished under her breath.

The pair re-entered the first room seeing the rest of them Markus smiled.

"So you got your first pokémon?" Juniper asked.

"Yup, I've chosen."

"Very good then, Cynthia it's your turn next make sure you remember everything I said okay." Juniper said.

"Right." Cynthia said. Her voice didn't reveal her emotions but Markus could see by the way her hand was shaking she was actually really nervous.

(…)

Cynthia's stomach knotted as she followed the professor's daughter. Nervousness had never been a problem in her life before why now? She clenched her hand to stop it trembling as she watched Aurea come to a halt.

"Right there are two pokémon left in there, make sure you choose the one you connect with." Cynthia couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't like her. She dismissed the thought she wouldn't know her for very long anyway. She entered the room. Two pokémon sat on a table in the centre. She looked at them and pondered.

"The one on the left is Oshawott a water type, the one on the right is Tepig, a fire type."

"Right that means Markus took the grass type?"

"Yes, that's right."

Cynthia turned to the Oshawott who looked back at her with harsh eyes for such a small pokémon. The pokémon looked tough, Cynthia liked that, he would be good in battle. But Cynthia remembered what Juniper had said, 'choose the one that suits you best.' Last time she had chosen Chimchar simply because it looked the strongest, this time she would try and bypass that and focus on which she would get along with better. She looked at the other pokémon, Tepig. The Tepig looked up at her smiling quite in contrast to the Oshawott. She bent down to inspect both pokémon, it was a hard decision. She looked back at Oshawott, then to Tepig. That was when she noticed the Tepig had a certain fire to his eyes a streak of disobedience and rebellion. She was surprised that she actually liked that look. Looking back at the more serious Oshawott she could see it would be far more bound by the rules but would still be a good decision. She suddenly realised that this dilemma came down to one thing her head or her heart. Her head had never failed her and had produced some incredible pokémon but it was at a severe price. Cynthia closed her eyes and decided, it was time to listen to her heart.

"Tepig, I want to choose you but first you should know. The pokémon I own have been driven to the extremes by me in a quest for true strength. Unfortunately this made what is truly important incredibly weak. I need you to help me restore this balance and teach me how to bond with my pokémon, if you cannot do this then you are not the pokémon for me."

Tepig looked surprised at her statement and stayed silent to ponder it. He looked into her eyes, they seemed honest, like they needed help. Tepig grinned at the woman that was to be his trainer. He looked up to her with an evil glint in his eye and 'accidentally' sneezed in her face, coating her in a thick layer of soot.

Aurea suddenly laughed incredibly hard. "Generally we take that to mean he likes you."

Cynthia looked down at the rude pokémon who stepped forward to greet his new trainer properly. "Thank you Tepig, return." She said as she opened the Tepig's pokéball.

Cynthia's nerves calmed as she looked at the new pokéball. Quickly she placed the pokéball along with Gabite on her belt.

"I guess that's that then." Cynthia said wiping the soot off her face.

"Yup now let's get you back I want to see what that other hottie is like." Cynthia thought back to the gloomy individual realising that that Oshawott would probably be the perfect choice for him.

(…)

Markus sat awkwardly in the main lobby waiting for Cynthia to return. She wondered which she would have chosen, both seemed viable but Markus guessed she would go for the one that seemed strongest to her but hoped she hadn't. He looked over to the gloomy looking boy who was leaning against the table. To Markus, Jason seemed to be hiding something, for now he decided not to inquire but silently watched the boy.

The doors opened again and Cynthia walked out. Markus smiled when he saw her.

"So Cynthia have you chosen." he asked.

"Yes," she simply stated.

"Hmm, you know that's a pretty big smile you have on, did you not even notice?"

Cynthia reached up to her lips realising she was smiling but for some reason she couldn't relax her face.

"Don't worry I feel exactly the same." Markus said comforting her slightly and making her choose to keep the smile on.

"Well then, Jason your pokémon is waiting." Juniper said gesturing into the other room.

Jason left with Aurea who was obviously checking him out. Markus shook his head as they left the room.

"Will you tell me now which ones you've chosen, I'm dying to know?" Juniper complained.

"I guess its fine now, why don't we head outside," Markus said.

The three of them left the building and stepped out onto the grass.

"Well then here goes. Come on out Snivy!" Markus called throwing his pokéball out. Snivy appeared on the grass calling her name nervously. "Snivy, I'd like you to meet Cynthia, she will be travelling with us." Snivy moved behind her trainers legs shyly. "Hey, it's alright Snivy she won't bite. Cynthia why don't you introduce yourself." Markus suggested catching her off guard.

"Urm, okay." Cynthia bent down and looked as the small grass snake pokémon. "Hey… Snivy, urm I'm Cynthia it's good to meet you." Cynthia said, feeling like a fool for talking this way. The Snivy stayed close to her trainer but did nod at her in acceptance.

"Good now, who did you choose?" Markus asked as he sat down on the grass and picked up Snivy placing her on his shoulder.

"Come on Tepig." Cynthia called, Tepig exploded out of its pokéball spraying smoke everywhere. Tepig looked up at his trainer to find her not amused.

"Are you going to do that every time Tepig?" She asked. Tepig nodded and laughed as Cynthia sighed.

"You chose Tepig, why?" Markus asked.

"I don't really know it just felt right." Cynthia said.

Markus smiled, she had chosen for the right reason. "Well Tepig, it's good to see you again, it seems we will be travelling together after all, I'm Markus by the way." The Tepig snorted in greeting then looked at the shy Snivy who smiled at the fire type happy that they were still going to be together even after being chosen by different trainers.

"It looks like you two have already know each other huh?" Markus asked, Snivy nodded as she crawled down from Markus's shoulder to be with Tepig. "Well that's good at least you're with friends." he said. As he watched the two pokémon converse.

Cynthia turned as she heard the doors open and watched as Jason walked out the doors ready to leave. His hands were in his pocket and he was slumped over.

"Ah, Jason!" Juniper called. "Over here, you must have chosen Oshawott then." Jason nodded before looking at Markus and Cynthia with their pokémon. "I was going to suggest that since you three are heading out at the same time that you should probably head to Route 1 together."

"Don't worry professor I know the way, I don't need their help, I'll see you soon prof." Jason said in a deep bored voice.

"Weird guy," Cynthia said, as she watched him leave.

"Why don't you challenge him to a battle Cynth, it will be good for you and Tepig." Markus suggested. Cynthia looked at Tepig, he seemed to like the idea.

"Okay then let's give this a go Tepig." Cynthia said. "Oh and if you call me Cynth again I'll break your arm." Markus chuckled as she turned to challenge Jason.

"Hey Jason, why don't we have a battle." Jason turned and frowned.

"I guess it would be a good opportunity to try out my Oshawott." He said before turning back to face Cynthia. "Fine."

"Fantastic we have a battlefield round the back!" Juniper said excitedly.

Markus smiled as he and Snivy followed them all to the battlefield.

(…)

Markus sat on a bench at the side of the battlefield along with Snivy.

"Right Snivy, I want you to watch this match carefully and try and learn from it." Snivy nodded ready to witness the battle.

Professor Juniper was to judge the match. "This will be a one on one battle between Cynthia and Jason, the match is over when the opposition forfeits or is defeated. Begin!"

Jason threw his pokéball and Oshawott entered the field. Tepig who was already out, eyed his opponent. Aurea stood at the side-lines near Jason cheering loudly for the gloomy teen.

"Well then." Cynthia said with a smirk. "Shall we begin, just because you're a beginner doesn't mean I'm going easy on you." She threatened.

"It makes no difference to me bring it on." He replied.

"Well then Tepig, let's start with a tackle attack." Tepig stood on its hind legs billowing smoke before it set out and charged at Oshawott.

"Oshawott dodge it." Oshawott merely stepped out of the way of the rampaging Tepig who missed its target and sailed strait past. "Now use tackle." Jason ordered. The Oshawott ran at Tepig smashing into him.

Cynthia grit her teeth, this Oshawott was already an experienced battler. Her Tepig paled in comparison, but then again her Tepig had a much more experienced trainer. "Tepig jump then use ember on the field." Tepig looked confused but did as commanded spraying burning hot coals all over the field. Markus was impressed by her strategy and it seemed to work as Oshawott seemed trapped with little idea as to where to go, "Now use tackle." Cynthia ordered, her heart was beginning to beat faster, there was something about battling against the odds that was making her heart race. With a type and experience disadvantage this match was going to prove fun. Tepig collided with Oshawott the embers on the ground not effecting him and knocked the Oshawott back. The Oshawott landed on the embers and yelled as it received a burn. Jason's eyes remained gloomy but both Markus and Cynthia saw a flash in his eye as he came up with a plan. "Oshawott water gun on the field." He ordered.

The Oshawott grinned and obliged spraying water all over the field. Tepig retreated back to Cynthia as she watched steam rise from the coals creating a thick mist. For a first time battler this guy knows what he is doing Cynthia realised.

"Tepig, wait until I tell you to jump." Cynthia said. Tepig nodded watching the mist.

Cynthia saw the steam begin to flow and realised which direction the Oshawott was coming from. "Now Jump." Before he did Tepig hesitated and took another hit from Oshawott. "Tepig use ember now!" Cynthia yelled in desperation.

"Oshawott water gun!"

The attacks collided but only the water gun made contact. Tepig fell at his new trainer's feet. Cynthia looked down at the fire type in shock. She knew it, she had chosen wrong that Oshawott was far superior even with a type advantage. Markus ran up to her and looked at her.

"Come on Cynthia let's get Tepig healed up." He said.

Cynthia reluctantly picked up the defeated pokémon who sighed glumly the fire in his eyes reduced to a mere smoulder.

(…)

"Well there we go, Tepig is all patched up." Professor Juniper said feeding Tepig a berry.

"Thanks prof." Markus said happily.

"Yeh, thanks." Cynthia said conflicted. Markus frowned,

"Are you okay Cynthia? Hey it's only a loss, you can't expect to be number one right off the bat."

Cynthia looked away. "I was last time." She said stubbornly. Markus sighed, he should have known something like this would have happened.

"Cynthia look at me," Cynthia did flinching at how honest his eyes were. "Now you asked me to help you on your journey so here is lesson one: how to deal with defeat. Wins and losses will come and go but both can be used to strengthen the bonds between your pokémon, you should know that if your bonds are strong enough you can easily go up a type disadvantage like that and still win. Both you and Tepig have a long way to go so make sure he knows he did a good job because he worked his hardest out there for you, alright."

Cynthia broke from his gaze and looked at her little Tepig. His head was turned to the side and he looked like he had no idea what was going on. "Oh, here give this to him as a treat." Markus said pulling out a spalot berry from his bag, "I heard fire types love these." Cynthia nodded and turned to Tepig.

"Hey Tepig, I'm sorry we lost but you did a really good job out there, actually with a bit of work we can perfect your timing and next time we will take down that sucker and his Oshawott." Cynthia said starting off awkward but as she went on she became more confident. Her pokémon felt it and released a small flame in approval accepting the spicy gift with gusto.

"Fantastic, it always brings a tear to my eye to see such dedicated trainers." Juniper said happily.

"Hey professor what happened to Jason and Aurea?" Markus asked.

"Well, Jason left after the battle I'm sure he is already heading to Accumula town right now. Aurea went upstairs mumbling about something, I'm not sure what it was but I'm a bit worried." He said.

"I'm sure it's fine professor, thank you very much for our pokémon but we should be heading out now,"

"Oh wait, before you go there is one last thing I need to do, you both have pokédexes yes?"

Both Cynthia and Markus nodded. "Well if you give them here I can give them a quick upgrade and they will tell you all about the pokémon you will find in the Unova region."

"Really! Thanks prof!" Markus said happily as he got his pokédex out.

"Don't mention it, it only takes a second."

"Right," Markus said whilst Juniper quickly tinkered with his and Cynthia's pokédexes.

"Good. Now, the next town is only a few miles down the road and it has a pokémon centre in it, it won't take long for you to get there and I'm sure you know the rest."

"Thank you professor." Cynthia said politely.

"Yup, we'll be in touch."

"Good well I'm sure we'll see each other soon, bye now."

The two trainers left down the road with their new pokémon ready for their new adventure across Unova as professor Juniper waved heartily behind them.

(The next morning)

"Well then see you later dad!" Aurea said kissing professor Juniper on the cheek.

"Okay see you… Wait where are you going and what's with the backpack?" He said shocked.

"I'm going on an adventure." Aurea said as if it were obvious,

"Wait what's brought this on why now?" Juniper asked shocked.

"Dunno, just call it spur of the moment, oh and I'm taking Minccino with me if that's okay." Aurea left the building and the professor ran out after her.

"Aurea Juniper you cannot leave me now, what about our research our father-daughter time together, don't leave meeee!" He begged dramatically falling to his knees with his hands raised to the sky. Aurea just sweat-dropped and continued following the same path as many first time trainers had walked themselves leaving behind her poor father.