Chance leaned on the railing of the deck as Nuvema Town slowly sank into the horizon. The midday sun shone brightly, while the sea air swept through his hair. He allowed his mind to drift as he daydreamed about what his future travels held for him. Eventually, he had to drag himself back to reality and go find the cabin where he and Snivy would be staying for the duration of the trip. As he made his way through the ship he looked through the small brochure that had been handed to him as he boarded. Many events were planned for the three day trip, including a small battle tournament. He quickly decided that once he found his temporary lodging that he would find his way to where the tournament was being held so he and Snivy could watch the other trainers and maybe pick up a few tricks.

It was a simple task to locate the battle field that had been set up on the upper deck for the tournament. However, it wouldn't be starting for several more hours, so currently people were just relaxing and mingling on the deck. Chance took this as the perfect opportunity to get to know his new Snivy a bit better. He removed the small pokemon from his shoulder and sat him at the table he had found to lounge at.

"So.. Snivy, are you excited to go out and see the world?" He asked awkwardly.

Snivy stared at him hard for a second before nodding her head and replying with a happy "Snivy sni!" Chance smiled down at her and pet her head lightly.

"You know, it's strange. I grew up with Mom's serperior and did a lot with my sister's snivy as it grew, I feel like I know so much about your species, but I also know so little." Snivy looked at him quizzically and cocked her head to the side. "I mean.. Most snivy are a bit stuck up and stubborn, and generally they rely on their speed in a battle. So far you seem to fit that build pretty well!" He grinned at her as she turned up her head at being called stuck up. He laughed at her lightly, "Don't worry! I like that you have a strong personality! It will work well for the leader of my team!" She seemed to like the sound of that and relaxed a little.

A few hours passed while Chance talked to Snivy and got to know her. The tournament eventually began, starting with 16 trainers. The first evening was occupied by 1vs1 single elimination battles. Chance was mesmerized by battles, and he was silently overjoyed that Snivy couldn't seem to take her eyes off of the intense fighting before her. As the evening drew to a close and the final 8 competitors decided, Chance withdrew to his cabin.

Chance awoke early the second day after having a terrible night of rest. He wasn't used to trying to sleep while out at sea at all. However, Snivy seemed to sleep just fine up on his pillow, which she had claimed as her own. The day passed slowly until the final rounds of the tournament began.

Throughout the second round Chance was able to pick out a seasoned trainer that he had decided he wanted to win. The trainer and his pokemon battled with a fiery passion, yet he showed a great deal of love for his pokemon during each victory of his thus far. The semifinals started soon after and the trainer, Blake, had chosen his nidoqueen to do battle against the other trainer's sawsbuck. The battle was short, as nidoqueen combined a series of sludge wave and ice beam attacks to defeat the grass type. This victory took him to the final round.

Blake walked off the field after his semifinals match to allow the other two competitors to do battle and decide who would be facing him in the final round. He stood alone by the railing of the ship and looked out over the sea in silence. Chance took this chance to approach him.

"Excuse me? Aren't you going to watch to see who your opponent is?" Chance questioned timidly.

The taller boy turned and looked down at Chance. He brushed his jet black bangs out of his eyes and replied, "Nah, it doesn't matter which one of these guys wins. Even seeing their strategy wouldn't do much. I already have faith that my pokemon and I can win. So I am just going to relax." He turned back around to gaze out over the sea as he spoke.

Chance looked at him in awe. "Wow. You must be a pretty good trainer if you're that sure of yourself. I hope you do win it all, you seem to deserve it with how much you respect and believe in your pokemon." Chance smiled as he spoke.

Blake looked back over his shoulder at Chance. "What is your name, kid?"

"It's Chance. Snivy and I just started our journey and we are headed to the Johto region to compete." He replied.

"It seems the main thing you look at in others to see their value is their respect for their pokemon. That is a good trait to have. Never let it leave your heart." Blake turned and began walking away, but stopped suddenly, "I will be looking for you during the final match later tonight. I will try and show you two some battling tips to help jump start your journey. Oh, and find me once we land at the port. I am from the Johto region, I will point you in the right direction." And with that he walked away into the crowd. Chance was left a bit dazed at the man's words. He seemed very sure about his ideals, and was very nice to somebody who was a complete stranger. Chance hoped that once he became a strong trainer he would get to challenge Blake and show him that his words of encouragement weren't wasted.

The final round came a few hours later. Blake had chosen his meganium to battle his opponent's conkeldurr. The moment he threw out his starter pokemon he made eye contact with Chance and made sure he was paying attention to how he had his own grass type utilize its attacks. The battle didn't last long, as meganium kept conkeldurr's movement restricted with its vine whip attacks, while battering it down with a series of razer leafs and a final solar beam. Blake and meganium had full control the entire match.

Once the battle was complete, Blake was awarded his trophy and he quickly disappeared from the deck. Chance was a bit bummed out that he didn't get to speak to him to congratulate him on his stunning victory. He had clearly raised his pokemon very well and trusted in them entirely. Chance searched for the deck for the next half hour, but eventually was forced to give up and grab a small dinner before bed. They would be landing at about 11 am tomorrow and he wanted to be well rested when he began his journey.

The next day the ship docked at the port in Cherrygrove City. The passengers disembarked and Chance was left looking around the port to try and catch a glimpse of Blake before he wandered into the city to find the pokemon center. His search was short lived as Blake soon came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder.

"So, you're just starting your journey, right?" Blake questioned.

"Yeah, I haven't even registered yet. Honestly, I have no idea where the pokemon center even is here." He blushed while looking down at his feet.

Blake laughed in response. "Don't worry, you'll get used to that feeling during your travels. Everywhere is new when you first get there! Come on, the pokemon center is across town from here. I will take you to get registered and point you in the direction of Violet City before I head off back home to Blackthorn." Blake lead Chance through the city and up to the pokemon center where he would be registering to compete in the Johto League Gym Challenge.

When they entered they were greeted by the local Nurse Joy, who helped walk Chance through his registration. "Alright, just a few questions and you will be all registered and ready to go!" Nurse Joy beamed at the young boy. "Okay, so you said your name is Chance. Home town?"

"Nimbasa City, Ma'am."

"Age?"

"16."

"And you just began your journey? Once you begin the pokemon you catch are automatically registered to your trainer profile, but we will have to register any other pokemon you have currently right now."

"Oh, okay." Chance stammered as he grabbed Snivy's pokeball. "Well, currently it is just me and Snivy."

"Alright, I will have to borrow its pokeball for just one moment!" She replied in her far too cheery tone. She placed the pokeball on a small holder on her computer and it was quickly scanned and returned to Chance. "Alright! That takes care of it. Here is a map of the Johto region, a book with the rules and regulations for the Johto League, as well as a pamphlet with important dates that you must know concerning the tournament this year and registration deadlines. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"Nope, I think that is just about it." Chance said as he placed Snivy's ball back in his pocket and stuffed the new items into his bag. "Thank you very much!" With that the two boys left the center and walked across the town until they hit a road leading north.

"Well, Chance, this is where we part ways. Follow this path north and you will eventually hit Violet City. That is the nearest gym to here. If you can win against Falkner's birds then I have faith that I will see you at next year's Johto League Conference." Chance thanked him as they entered their numbers into each other's cell phones, just in case. "No matter what, keep your head held high, believe in your pokemon, and never give up." Blake said as he tossed out a pokeball to reveal a large pidgeot. He jumped onto his pokemon's back and the two quickly disappeared into the horizon as Chance waved goodbye.

Once they were out of sight Chance turned towards the road and began walking north, taking the first steps of his journey in the Johto region.