A/N: Filler spot.

Chapter 4 – The Start of a New Journey

Route 45 – May 11th, 2001

Late Afternoon

Its been a couple hours since Logan left town, as he walks down the mountain road of Route 45. It was once treacherous and ragged, given how high the path was down toward Route 29, but since then the route was made easier to travel down.

Given the terrain, it was home to Rock and Ground type Pokémon, as well as other Pokémon that resided around the mountains. Graveler, Onix, and rarely Steelix and Golems would reside along the mountains, however they would likely living deep inside parts of the Dark Cave, which was the darkest cavern in Johto, and known as a large breeding ground for Zubat. Trainers would often need to cut through the Dark Cave to get to Route 31, leading to Violet City.

While Violet City was Logan's first stop as he figured he try his luck on seeing how his training came out by challenging Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader, he wanted to stop at New Bark Town to visit Prof. Elm to let him know that he finished his two year training and about doing the Pokémon League challenge.

He wouldn't do it as it wasn't his goal in mind, he just wanted to get better and to do it for fun just so he can earn some badges, and then finish it with Clair when he makes it back to Blackthorn City. So he is just walking south bound down the mountain to New Bark Town.

Logan, with Chika following behind him as cheery as she can be, looked around as he wanted to try to start building up his team. He was also wanting to get Chika trained up so she could evolve into Bayleef, given she was refusing to evolve during training to try to be fair. Plus Chika seemed to enjoy being carried around, despite how big she gotten over the couple years she was in training, she knew she would have to evolve eventually.

"Excuse me there son!" A deep, voice shouted out as Logan stopped and looked to the voice.

"Um, yes sir?" Logan asked as Chika stopped and looked toward the man who called for him.

It was a Hiker, "You a Trainer, son?" He asked while smiling brightly.

"Yeah, I just started my journey today! I'm from Blackthorn City." Logan replied smiling brightly.

"Hoho! I'd figure as much. How a quick battle son?" He asked as he takes out a Poké Ball. "I know you only have one Pokémon there, but I can see that your Chikorita raring to go."

Logan looks and Chika looked pumped, and it was adorable. "Yeah, would be nice to do a battle. I trained for two years with the Tamers. This would be our real first Trainer battle."

The Hiker chuckled, "Ah, I figured as much, since some of the young Trainers that came from Blackthorn passed through here, some heading south, others heading through the Dark Cave. I told them to be careful since they likely didn't have any Pokémon with Flash or any light source given how dark and dangerous it can be. Anyway, how does a one-on-one battle sound, son?"

Logan smirked, as he looks down at Chika, "Get ready Chika."

She nods as she hops out to the battlefront and looked determined, "Chiko!"

The Hiker then laughed heartly and toss the Poké Ball, "Be ready, Graveler!"

The ball opened up as the large Graveler appeared, giving an intimidating smirk, looking at the Chikorita, "Graveler!"

It got its fist tightened. Chika just glared back at it, getting serious.

"You can start." The Hiker said.

"Thanks, alright Chika, go in there with a Vine Whip!" Logan commanded as he points out.

"Chiko!" She rushes at the large Rock type as she extends the vines out as they lash out at the Rock type.

"Rock Polish and then Rollout!" The Hiker commanded as the Graveler spun around, the rocky body began shining rapidly as its speed was raised and then began rolling about in a ball and right at Chika, whose Vine Whip gets deflected back and she retracts it.

"Reflect!" Logan screamed as Chika, sets up a blue barrier and was able to slow Graveler down by bouncing it back, and reducing the damage on Chika.

"Now counter with Razor Leaf while it is staggered!" Logan added, as the Chikorita begins spinning her head about, sending razor sharp leaves at the staggered Graveler, taking serious damage from the super-effective attack.

"Graaav!" Graveler winced.

"Shake it off Graveler, Rock Throw!" The Hiker ordered.

It shook off the attack and grabs the earth and was able to get a large rock and chucks it at Chika.

"Use Vine Whip and grab it and chuck it back!" Logan commanded.

Chika grabs the incoming rock with a quick vine and spins it around and chucks it back at the Graveler.

"Defense Curl!"

Graveler curls into a ball and the rock just smashed off it.

"Double-Edge!" Graveler then charges at Chika, with the speed from Rock Polish.

"Chika, stand your ground!" Logan commanded, as Chika nods and planted her little feet down and braced herself.

The Hiker just blinked. What was he planning if was gonna have that small Grass type to take the Double-Edge against a Graveler.

"...Vine Whip now! And then Magical Leaf while its in the air!" Logan said breaking the silence, as Chika shoots her vines out as Graveler got close and was suddenly ensared by surprise and then throws it up into the air, high. The Hiker was just in shock, Logan smirking.

She then shot a volly of leaves in a psychokinetic aura and shot right at the Graveler at high speed. So much, it got slammed into the side of the rock wall and then back to the ground, swirls in its eyes.

"Graveler! Return!" The Hiker held the Poké Ball up and returns the downed Rock Pokémon.

What the two didn't see, was that the wall where Graveler crashed into, began to crack more and more, upward.

"Nice job Chika!" Logan said to her with praise as she jumped for joy.

"Chiiiko!~"

"Not bad son, I didn't think your little Chikorita would be able to psyche out Graveler by waiting for him to close in and slam him down like that." Hiker smiled brightly.

"Well I been training for two years in Blackthorn, one year in the Den with the expert and elder Tamers. All that training is paying off." Logan grinned brightly, as he picks up Chika, who suddenly cuddles into his arms.

"Well I think you are going to be prepared for the road ahead, son. Thanks for the battle! You know how to get the blood going for a good 'ol hiker like me." He laughed.

Logan laughed too. He then looks past the Hiker seeing something.

"Huh?"

The Hiker then looks and blinks, seeing what he was looking at, and was surprised. "Hmm? That's a..."

It was watching them, a Pokémon that was white furred, dark blue, and red eyes with a scythe-like horn.

"...Is that an Absol? Here?" Logan questioned.

"Aye... You rarely seem here. I'd be careful son. They say Absol can be dangerous as they come, a disaster comes..."

The Absol just stares at them, Logan mostly. It then nods up.

"Huh?"

They then heard rocks begin coming down the side of the rock wall.

"Oh no... Graveler hitting the wall is causing a rockslide! Kid, we need to get away!" The Hiker shouted.

The Absol approached them, as the rocks were coming down around them.

"Sol! Sol!" It said as it wanted them to follow it, and ran toward the cave entrance just down the path.

"I think it wants us to go into the Dark Cave!" Logan said.

"Well, this path is gonna get blocked and we will be under it if we don't move, now let's go!" The Hiker shouted as he began running, and Logan, holding Chika for dear life, follows as the rocks and large boulders crash down where they were at, the earth shaking as they crashed down.

Thankfully, Logan and the Hiker got into the cave as dust bellowed down the path and covering the cave entrance, light blotting out by the dusk.

"You alright?" Logan asked the Hiker.

"I'm alright son. You alright?" He asked.

Logan nodded and turns to look and the Absol sat there, watching them.

"Thanks for leading us to safety..." Logan smiled softly.

"Chiko chi!" Chika nodded to the Absol, who nods back. And then it walks up to them, staring at Logan. For some reason, Logan just stares back at it, some how entranced by its stare.

The Hiker just looks at the two, before he shakes Logan gently, "Hey? Hey you alright? You still with us?"

Logan snaps back to reality, "Huh? What?"

"You were just having a staring contest with this Absol. You alright?" The Hiker said in a concerned tone.

"Y-yeah, I'm alright." Logan nods as he looks down at the Absol.

It simply just looked at him.

"Hmm, I think it knows you some how. I mean the fact that it stares at you intently. It might have watched our battle." The Hiker explained.

"You think...it wants to come with me?" Logan asked, blinking.

"Maybe. It seems to have an imprint on you. I mean you ever seen this Absol?"

"No. Never seen it. Though it is strange..." Logan thinks back.

The times he walked home, going to train at the Den, and generally going about town, he always felt he was being watched, when he was alone. He just pass it off as nothing but... could he have been watched this whole time... by this Absol? Why did it have interest in him?

Logan kneels down to the Absol's level.

"Um, hello. Again, thanks for saving us and leading us away from that danger. I can see why its dangerous battling up here in the mountains. But, I have to know something..."

"...Have you always been following me and watching me? You know, before I started my journey?"

The Absol didn't say anything for awhile, but it simply closed its eyes and nodded.

"...I see." Logan responded. If he could only understand Pokémon, this wouldn't be awkward, as to he wanted to know why this Absol has been watching him these past few years.

"So... do you want to come with me Absol? Is that why your so interested in me?" Logan tilted his head as he asked the question.

The Absol has watched this child since that day: the day his mother passed away. It didn't know why it was interested in this child, because before it was a loner. It only wanted to look out for itself given its status as a wild Pokémon, but also because of what it was.

Now, something was compelling the Disaster Pokémon to follow this boy. Call it divine intervention maybe, but after seeing him train for two years in Blackthorn City and holding his own with Chika, it now wanted that: To be there for him, become stronger, not be alone anymore. Wanting a friend...

"...Sol." It finally nodded.

"Well I'll be. I guess this Absol taken a shine to you then son. They are rare around these parts, and who knows. Maybe it can help you out in the future. I mean a kid like you, your going to need to starting building up a team. What better way to start with this Absol?" The Hiker explained.

Logan listened to his words and smiled. He was right: He wanted to build a team, and make a new friend, train this Absol to become stronger. Surely it would be a good asset to his team.

"Alright then Absol. Welcome to the team. I promise, I'll take good care of you." He smiled brightly as he lightly stroked the creatures head.

The Absol closed its eyes, and leaned into the hand. It really felt... comforted by this child. Maybe it was the right choice.

"Soool~" It purred contently.

"Alright I just need to capture you first." Logan brought out a Poké Ball and simply tapped the button on its head and the ball opened and sucked it in as red energy.

It made no struggle and the ball pinged, signifying the capture.

"Heh, Chika. We got a new friend and partner!" Logan said in delight.

"Chikooo!~" Chika cooed happily. She was happy to get a new friend.

"Well son. I know its not the best option, but given how it is out there, your best bet is to continue through the Dark Cave and reach Route 31. If you were heading for New Bark Town or Cherrygrove, this might be the safer option. No telling if another avalanche like that will happen again down the road, so I will head to Blackthorn and try to get help in clearing the road. You good luck on your journey. And congratulations on gaining a new Pokémon. I'm sure Absol will be a great partner. Surely, it might lead you through this place, seeing it likely lives around these mountains and knows its way around. It'll likely get you to the other end." The Hiker grinned.

"Alright. Thanks for the input sir." Logan bowed down.

"Oh don't mention it. It is a Hiker's duty to help travelers going any place harsh to know where it is safe to go and Dark Cave, while pitch black and full of Zubat and Rock types, you should be fine with your skill."

Logan nods, "Well I should be going. If I want to get to Cherrygrove City, I should be leaving now. I really need to get to New Bark Town to visit Prof. Elm and then back to Violet City for the Gym."

The Hiker simply waves his hand, "Happy trails son. I know you will do fine out there in this world!"

He then walks out as the dust settled, leaving the boy alone in the dark cave.

"Well Chika, I guess we should get going. But first."

Logan then holds out the Poké Ball and released the Absol out.

"Well Absol, I'm so glad you want to travel with me. I know we can be great friends." He said smiling, as Chika grinned cutely agreeing.

"So first let me scan you on my Pokédex and learn your move set."

Logan took out the red device and opened it up and scanned the Absol. The light blinked and a ding was heard.

Registration complete!

#359

Absol

The Disaster Pokémon

Ht.: 3'11"/1.2m

Wt.: 103.6lbs/47.0kg

Description: Every time Absol appears before people, it is followed by a disaster such as an earthquake or a tidal wave. As a result, it came to be known as the disaster Pokémon.

Absol just sighed, hearing that makes it feel sad. It wasn't it's species fault. Logan frowned.

"Don't be sad. I know you guys are just misunderstood. I know there are people out there that know you have good intentions. You just want to watch out for people is all." Logan said with a sad smile, and rubbed her head, to which she purred in content.

"And for your status..." Logan said as he looks at it's info. What he saw surprised him.

==Status==

Absol

Gender: Female

OT: Logan Ryuko

ID: 10176

Ability: Super Luck

Boosts the critical-hit ratio on moves.

Moves Known:

Slash, Feint Attack, Foul Play, Razor Wind, Swords Dance, Flash

Nature: Adamant

(Attack + / Sp. Attack -)

"Wow, you know some good moves. You must have trained yourself for awhile now to have learned these. And you know Flash, so that's a plus for our current situation... given we are in the dark, creepy cave full of Zubat..." He mumbled at the end.

"And you have a good nature. I guess we can focus you on physical attacks and work on your defensive capabilities as since you are Dark-type, so if we do fight someone with Fighting-types and we are cornered, you'll have to be ready."

Absol nodded.

"And I guess now knowing your a girl, I think I'm gonna call you... Abby. Is that alright?"

She thinks for a bit on it. It was a fitting somehow, so she nods. "Sol!"

"Alright, Abby it is then!" He said as he closed the Pokédex.

"So you think you can guide us through this cave to Route 31?" Logan asked, to which Abby nods. She lived around this mountainous region for a long time now, and knew this cave system well. It shouldn't be an issue to lead her new Trainer out to the other side.

"Well then, lead the way."

With that, the three began their trek through the Dark Cave, not knowing what sort of surprises the world has in store for them. This was just the beginning of Logan's journey...