Remnants in a New World

by Brandocko

Team RWBY encounters Roman and Neo at a set of ruins. Before the battle could break out, an unknown monster appears and devours the six. They awaken to discover a new world of creatures unlike anything they have seen before. Now, they are on a journey to find each other and a way back home. I do not own Pokemon or RWBY. See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.

8. Chapter 7

AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Since this story is doing very well, I thought I would continue it a bit more before going back to something else. With this chapter, we go back to the Rs trio on their way to the first official region to catch Pokemon. This is a team preparation, where Ruby gets a few new friends. As well, Roman gets a new toy and meets quite the looker in town. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.

Chapter 7 – Catching a Break

Soring above the clouds, a carriage was being held by a massive bird Pokemon. Its feathers were a deep blue and its body seemed to slightly armored. Piloting the carriage was a man in an aviator's suit. Inside the carriage, Roman sat across from Ruby and Rosa, his arms crossed, "When you said free travel." He said with a scowl at the energetic trainer, "I was expecting a plane, not a box that turns into a coffin if that thing lets go of us."

"Relax, the Corviknight Taxi Service is safe and fast." Rosa responded, "With all the people traveling the world in this league, it helps to have the ability to fly with just one call." She then turned to the red hooded girl, who was still marveling at the outside landscape. "You excited for us to arrive in the Sinnoh Region?"

"A little bit," Ruby responded looking down at the massive landscape. A mountain range at the center of the land with a few lakes spread around the region, "It's so big, but are people safe in the towns?"

"Of course," Rosa responded, "It's not like wild Pokemon rampage through them. Everyone is at peace in this region."

"That's good to hear," Ruby said with a smile.

"What town are we landing in?" Roman asked.

"It's called Jubilife City, home to a lot of tech-savvy people." Rosa said before her eyes lit up, "While we're here, we should get the new model Poketch."

"Poketch?" Ruby asked, "What is that?"

"Well, it's an all-purpose device that tells time, checks on your Pokemon, and has a lot of cool minigames!" Rose said in glee.

"So, it's a watch with a lot of dumb features tacked on." Roman simplified, causing Rosa to pout, "Does it do anything else that can help us. You know, something useful?"

"Hm," Rose said as she put her hand on her chin, turning to Ruby, "They have a new app that has a leaderboard for this league."

"Really," Ruby responded, turning to Roman, "If I get popular, that might help the ot-" She said before the orange-haired criminal kicked her in the shines, "Ouch!"

"Whoops, my leg twitched." Roman said, then looked to Rosa, "Okay, you sold me on it. While you and Red get a badge, I'll buy one of those dumb watches."

"Cool, the gym is in the next town over." Rosa clarified, turning back to Ruby, "We need to train and catch you some new Pokemon before you can challenge a gym leader."

"Okay," Ruby said as a confident smile formed on her face. She then took out her Pokeball with her first partner inside, "Eevee, let's find you some new buddies."

A few minutes later, the Corviknight Taxi landed at the edge of a bustling city. The trio exited the carriage and was in awe of the surrounding. Tall buildings filled the area, as well as large monitors advertising all new products. However, the route was still lush with trees and ponds. The roads where trainers before had traveled lead to a cave in the distance. Creatures the red hooded girl had never seen before walked around in the tall grass.

"Amazing!" Ruby spoke up, "It feels like two worlds touching, but each living in harmony with the other."

"Uh, is it that odd to see an area like this?" Rosa asked.

"Not something we're used to." Roman responded before reaching in his pocket, then handing it to the taxi driver, "Here's a tip, thanks for getting us here." He said with an aviator accepting and nodding. However, Roman had a look of concern as the Corviknight glared at him. The orange-haired criminal shook his head before turning away, "Why do all birds seem to hate me?"

Suddenly, his Pokeball opened in his pocket. The blackbird Pokemon reformed and perched on his owner's hat, "Murkrow!" He cried as he extended his wing, squawking at the Corviknight, "Mur! Mur! Murkrow!" the Corviknight did not respond but looked away as the carriage was lifted off. Roman looked up at his Pokemon, who lifted his beck high, "Mur."

Roman sighed before looking to Rosa and Ruby, "Okay, let's meet back here in… four hours." He said before looking at a sign that read, Route 204.

"Let's make it five and meet up on Route 203 instead." Rosa said with Roman scowling at her, then turned to Ruby to ignore him, "That should be enough time for you to catch some new teammates. Also, that's the route that leads to the city with the gym."

"Cool," Ruby said before looking back to Roman, her voice slightly serious, "You better behave yourself in this city." However, he simply waved her off before walking into Jubilife. Ruby sighed before turning to Rosa. "Okay, let's get going." She said with Rosa nodding.

The two went into the route, walking the tall grass. Suddenly, a brown beaver-like Pokemon jumped out, "Bidoof!" the Pokemon cried as flared its buck teeth.

"A wild Pokemon," Rosa commented, "Ruby, send out your partner."

"On it," Ruby said as she grabbed her Pokeball. "Eevee, come on out!" She said while opening it.

The foxlike Pokemon emerged with an eager smile, "Eevee!" she cried out before landing on the ground.

"Go, use Tackle," Ruby ordered as her Pokemon rushed towards its opponent.

"Bidoof!" the beaverlike Pokemon growled, slightly causing intimidating. However, Eevee preserved and crashed into Bidoof head-on. The beaverlike Pokemon was flung across the field as struggled to get up.

"Awesome, you got a critical hit." Rosa cheered, "Now's your chance to catch it. Throw a Pokeball!"

"On it!" Ruby said before doing so, "Time for you to be mine!"

"Wait Ruby, not that-" Rosa warned but it was too late. The Pokeball bounced off Bidoof without opening. Ruby had a look of confusion as Rosa sighed, "You used Eevee's ball, it can't catch another Pokemon like that."

"Hm?" Ruby responded, "But I only have the one."

"Oh no, I forget to give you more before landing." Rosa panicked as she went into her bag, "Here take some right now."

"Thanks!" Ruby said as she was about to through a new Pokeball, "This time, your mi-" She said while still in the motion of throwing. However, Bidoof was gone, "Eh?"

"It got away safely." Rosa said with a sigh, "Sorry about that, it's my fault you didn't catch it."

"Don't worry, we can find another one." Ruby said with a cheerful smile, then knelt to pet her Eevee, "And you did a great job out there."

"Eev!" Eevee responded with a smile.

Rosa smiled as Ruby stood up, the two walked more into the route. However, in the trees nearby, a black and white bird looked down on them from a high branch.

Meanwhile.

Roman walked through the city, seeing all the people and Pokemon look to him. "Heh, I still have the same pressure, even in a new world." He thought, assuming they were all staying away out of fear.

However, the chatter among the young ladies confirmed his notions. "Is that bird just sitting on his head?" One lady asked her friend, "That's weird, what if it has to go to the bathroom?"

"What if it already did?" her friend responded, "Let's just stay away from him."

Roman gritted his teeth as his Pokemon squawked, "Murkrow!" the orange-haired criminal then sighed before seeing the blackbird Pokemon point with his right wing, "Mur!" Down the street, a man in yellow clown suit and emblem that looked like a watch on it.

Roman sighed again before walking over to the clown, "Hey, are you promoter for that Poketch thing?"

"I certainly am," The clown responded with a smile, "We have a special promotion, collect three coupons and get the newest model for free."

"Free, you say." Roman said with a grin, "Okay, how do I get these coupons?"

"Well, to get mine, answer a simple question." The clown answered, flashing the coupon in his right hand, "Can Pokemon hold items?"

"Mur!" Murkrow said as he flew off of Roman's had, snagging the coupon out the clown's grasp. The clown gasped as the blackbird Pokemon circled back to Roman, who took the beak.

"I'll say yes." Roman said with a grin, "And they can take items too."

"Well, you still need two more coupons from the other clowns," the clown said with his arms crossed, "Don't think you can take the others so easily."

"We'll see," Roman said while he walked and waved goodbye. After taking a few steps away, he looked up at his Pokemon, "So, you're becoming a little thief now?" He said with Murkrow grinning, "Heh, glad to see I'm a good influence on you."

"Murkrow!" the blackbird Pokemon squawked, eager to find the next clown.

Meanwhile.

Ruby had just commanded her Eevee to tackle, causing the foxlike Pokemon to collide with a small black and blue feline Pokemon, "Shinx!" the black and blue feline Pokemon cried as it was flung into a weakened state.

"Now's your chance!" Rosa told Ruby.

"Right," Ruby said with a nod, then threw her Pokeball, "You're mine!" She said right before the ball contacted with the Shinx. The ball opened and absorbed the Pokemon in the red light, then closed. "Yes! It worked!" Ruby said as she ran over, picking up the still shaking Pokeball, "I caught a Sh-"

Suddenly, the ball broke open as black and blue feline Pokemon was freed, "Shinx!" the wild Pokemon cried before its body was covered in electricity. Ruby gasped before she was shocked by the spark. As the red hooded girl fell on her back, the wild Shinx growled before fleeing into the tall grass.

"Well, almost had it." Rosa said as she walked over to Ruby, "You have to let it shake until you hear a small click. That tells you it was captured."

"I see that now," Ruby said while still on the ground, "I was just so excited, it looked so cool to have."

"Eev." Eevee said in slight worry, but Ruby petted her Pokemon on the head.

"Don't worry. Next time, we got this." Ruby said as she stood up, "I can feel it."

"Eevee!" Eevee responded in joy.

"That's the spirit," Rosa added on, "We just need to find you one that suits you well." She then scanned the area, her eyes looking in on something. A type of green Pokemon was drinking water from a pond. With no arms, its body looked like a growing plant, "Oh, how about that Budew?"

"Budew?" Ruby said as she looked over to the wild Pokemon, "Is that a plant?"

"It's a grass type, what did you expect." Rosa responded, then put her hand on her chin, "Since you have Rose in your name, I think this might be a destined encounter."

"I don't really get it," Ruby said before looking at the wild Pokemon, who was joyful shooting water into the sky to clean its body, "But it does look pretty neat." She said before looking down at her Eevee, how nodded back at her, "Okay, this time for sure." The red hooded girl said before pointing the wild Pokemon, "Eevee, let's go!"

"Eevee!" The foxlike Pokemon cried as it entered the battle.

"Bud?" Budew said in confusion before having a look of focus, "Budew."

"Use Quick Attack," Ruby ordered.

"Eev!" Eevee said while charging in at high speed. The foxlike Pokemon crashed into Budew, sending it into a tree. Eevee came to a stop as Budew was already reeling from that attack. However, Eevee's body flashed purple, causing her stance to falter.

"Eevee!?" Ruby cried out, "What happened?"

"Poison Point," Rosa answered, "After physical contact, the attacker can get poisoned." She said as Bedew fully stood up, opening the coiled bud on its head. As a patch of red and blue was seen, green energy shot out and encompassed Eevee, "Now it's using Mega Drain to deal damage and recover some of the health it lost."

"Oh no," Ruby panicked, "Eevee, use swift!" She said as her Pokemon unleash the star blast from its mouth, breaking out of the green energy.

"Budew!" the wild Pokemon said as it jumped high in the sky, evading the stars. Ruby gasped as the wild pokemon's body glowed in yellow light, an aura matches the radiance of the sun. "Bud-" the wild Pokemon spoke, but then saw the stars circle back. Without time to evade, the swift connect before the attack was fully charged, "Budew!" the wild Pokemon said as it fell, landing in the middle of the road.

"Ruby, throw the ball!" Rosa quickly spoke, "If it lands that move, you're done for!"

"O-okay," Ruby said as she took a ball, looking at it in her left hand, then threw it, "Go, Pokeball!" She said before the ball hit Budew. The wild Pokemon was absorbed before the ball closed. After the ball fell on the path, it started to shake. Ruby held her breath as three shakes occurred, but then a pause. However, a small click was heard, causing her eyes to widen. "I-it worked." Ruby said as she ran over to pick up the Pokeball, "I caught a Budew!" She jumped in joy.

"Eevee!" Eevee cheered as well, but the flinched in pain. Ruby looked back to see the poison still taking its effect.

"Congratulations Ruby," Rosa responded, "Now, we should head back to the Pokemon Center to heal up your partners."

"Right, Eevee come back." Ruby said while recalling her Pokemon, then looked at each Pokeball in her hands, "I actually caught one, thanks to you." She said before walking with Rosa back to the city.

However, that same bird in the tree watched the whole thing. His eyes narrowed as it spoke, "Star."

Meanwhile.

Roman walked through one of two entrances to a building. In making his way to the front desk, he places three coupons in front of the receptionist. "I'm redeeming these for that new product."

"Of course, thank you for being part of our distribution." The receptionist said with a nod, "What color would you like?"

"Orange," he said before the receptionist went into the back room. While waiting, Roman looked around inside the small establishment, "Must be family-owned." The orange-haired criminal commented before noticing another customer. He was a man with parted black hair, wearing a brown trench coat over a suit. The two locked eyes, then slightly narrowed. Roman then noticed the man in the trench coat look up at Murkrow, who was still perched on the bowler hat, "You got a problem with my bird?"

"No problem with the bird," the man in the trench coat responded, "But who are you?"

"You first," Roman responded.

"Looker." The man in the trench coat answered.

"…" Roman did not say a word, "If you're not going to give me a real name, I won't give you mine."

"Fine," Looker responded, "I doubt you would have given me your real name either." He said before crossing his arms, "I have traveled a lot of place in the world, but I know a criminal when I see one."

"And I know an undercover cop when I see one," Roman responded, causing Looker's gaze to narrow. "However, aside from stressing out a few clowns, I've done nothing wrong." He said before the receptionist came out with an orange Poketch and a brown Poketch. "Thank you," Roman said to the receptionist as he took his Poketch, then saw Looker take the brown one, "Now, how about we talk business?" He said with Looker turning back with a glare and raised an eyebrow. "There's this girl. She's quiet, has pink and brown eyes, and is very short. However, never mention the last one to her directly."

"What are getting at?" Looker asked, "You want me to find her?"

"Yes," Roman said before reaching into his pocket, taking out a fist full of high-value items, "I can give you what you normally make in a year, just to find her." Looker closed his eyes before walking away, causing Roman to grit his teeth. The orange haired criminal then had a look of sorrow, "Neo's terrified, being all alone again is her worst fear." He said with Looker stopping, "When I took her in, I made a promise that she would never be alone again."

"…" Looker did not say a word, but then sighed, "You said pink and brown, right?" He said while turning around, causing Roman to smile, "Is this the only person I need to find?"

"Ye…" Roman was about to say, but then sighed, "Actually, there are a few more if you run across them." He said with Looker raising an eyebrow.

Meanwhile.

"Here are your Pokemon," Nurse Joy said as she handed Ruby a tray with two pokeballs on it.

"T-thanks." Ruby responded, "…How did you get here before us?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, we've never met before." Nurse Joy said before bowing, "We hope to see you again."

Ruby did not say another word before taking her pokeballs. Rosa and her just exited the Pokemon center. The red hooded girl then tossed them into the air. They opened and sent out Eevee and Budew. Both her Pokemon stood before their trainer, each smiling, "Welcome to the team, Budew." Ruby said as she knelt to the bud Pokemon.

"Bud!" Budew responded, turning to Eevee, "Budew."

"Eev," Eevee spoke with a smile, causing Ruby to giggle.

"I'm glad you to are getting along so well after fighting." Ruby said before seeing Rosa take out her Pokedex, "What does it say about Budew?"

"Well, she's a bold Budew. Knowing Mega Drain, Growth, and Water Sport. Not a super move set." Rosa responded, then smiled, "However, this little fella also knows Solar Beam, a very powerful grass type move."

"Really? That does sound powerful." Ruby said before looking back down at her Pokemon, "Okay, Eevee, you take a little break while Budew and I catch a new member."

"Eev!" the foxlike Pokemon said with a nod before being recalled into her ball.

"Budew!" the bud Pokemon said before Ruby picked her up, "Bud!"

They were about to head back to the route, when Ruby noticed a building next door, "Is that a school?"

"I think so, it's probably a good place to visit after training." Rosa responded before prodly putting her hands on her hips, "But I would say I've been a good teacher so far, right?"

"Right." Ruby said with a nod before the two started heading back to the route."So, what should I try to catch now?"

"We'll see what you run into; you should have one more before taking on this gym." Rosa said before they were at the start of route 204, "After that, we can train until we have to meet up with Ro-" the energetic trainer was saying until gasping.

Ruby had a look of confusion, then gasped as well at the sight. Numerous wild Pokemon were fainted on the tall grass, except one. The tiny black and white bird turned around and focused on the red hooded girl, "Starly!" The wild Pokemon said before expanding its wings.

"What is with that Starly?" Rosa commented, then looking around, "Did it beat all the other wild Pokemon?"

"Why would you do that?" Ruby said in slight anger, then saw the birds point at with one of the wings, "You want to fight me?"

"Star!" Starly said with a nod, "Starly!"

"This kind of Pokemon is known to be very annoying." Rosa said before putting her hand on her chin, "But they usually stick to flocks, so why is this one all alone?"

"Starly!" Starly growled, flapping its wings.

"It might have gotten separated." Ruby inquired.

"Or it was kicked out for being a jerk." Rosa responded, turning around, "Come on, let's try another route."

"Star!" Starly growled, but then saw Ruby walk over to the bird Pokemon, "Star?"

"It's okay, you don't have to be so assertive all the time." The red hooded girl said with a smile, "I have a best friend who you sort of remind me of." She then reached out her right hand to pet the bird.

"Starly!" Starly said as jumped back and took flight, "Star!"

"Budew!" Budew said as she jumped out of Ruby's arms, causing the battle to begin.

"Ruby, be careful." Rosa said as she walked over, "Not only is flying super effective against glass, but this Starly looks extra strong."

"Then it will be a good member of the team." Ruby said with a confident smile, "Budew, I'm counting on you." She said with the bud Pokemon having a focused gaze, "Okay, let's go for Water Sport."

"Bud!" Budew said before shooting out the top of its head. However, Stary evaded the water and started to swop for the bud Pokemon. The bird Pokemon's swings started to glow in a white aura, then crashed into the bud Pokemon. "Budew!" she cried after taking the hit, landing on her back.

"Starly," the wild Pokemon taunted, but then flinched in a purple aura. Starly then looked back at Budew pushing herself up, a smirk on her face.

"Alright Budew, time to heal up," Ruby ordered, "Use Mega Drain." She said with the bud Pokemon launching green energy into Starly. The wound from the wing attack started to heal, causing Ruby to focus.

"Star!" Starly said while breaking out of the mega drain. It began diving with the white aura around the wings.

"It's coming right for you, so let's hit with that Solar Beam," Ruby said as Budew prepared started glowing with the aura of the sun. However, as the Wing Attack was coming, something changes. The wings turned silver with a metallic shine. Ruby gasped as the wild Pokémon's attack landed first. "Oh no, Budew!" the red hooded girl said as the bud Pokemon was flung into a tree. While skidding down, Budew's eyes were swirling as she fainted.

"Starly!" the wild Pokemon spoke as it circled in the sky.

"That was Steel Wing, a very rare move for a wild Pokemon like that to know." Rosa commented, "Also, I forget to mention it before, but Solar Beam needs a bit more time to fire off than other moves."

"Oh," Ruby said before taking out Budew's Pokeball, "You still did well out there, come on back," she said before returning the bud Pokemon. She then took her other Pokeball and threw it, "Eevee, you're up!"

"Eev!" The foxlike Pokemon said as she emerged from the ball, her eyes focused on the wild Pokemon.

"Use Quick Attack," Ruby ordered before her Pokemon dashed forward at high speed.

"Starly!" the wild Pokemon responded in kind, a burst of speed towards their opponent. Both Pokemon collided with each other, each bouncing off from the assault. However, Starly flinched as the poison pulsated throughout her body.

"Now Eevee, use Swift," Ruby commanded as the foxlike Pokemon shot out stars from her mouth. They collided with the wild pokemon's body, creating an explosion in black smoke. The Starly fell and landed in the grass, struggling to push itself up. "Okay, here goes!" Ruby said as she took out an empty Pokeball, "You're mine!" the red hooded girl said while tossing the ball. It bounced off Starly's head, then ensnared the wild Pokemon inside. The Pokeball started to shake a few times.

However, after two shakes, the ball opened with Starly emerging. "Star!"

"It broke out." Rosa commented.

"It sure is a fighter." Ruby responded, her focus on the wild Pokemon, "It won't give up, even after taking all that damage. Almost like it is making itself stronger that way." She said as the image of her sister came to mind, causing the red hooded girl to smile. "One day, I hope you get to meet both of them. But first, I need to catch you."

"Star!" Starly growled before its wings grew sliver, "Starly!" the wild Pokemon began diving for Eevee, hoping to land another Steel Wing for a knockout.

"Eevee, hold your ground," Ruby ordered. Her mind flashed back to the battle against Roman's Murkrow. While the red hooded girl panicked before, she was ready this time. She waited until the wild Pokemon was within range before making the call. "Now, Quick Attack head on!"

"Eevee!" the foxlike Pokemon said before charging forward. Starly's steel wings moved to slow to hit the faster Pokemon. Eevee collided with the bird Pokémon's head, knocking Starly back into the glass. It tried to get up but recollided form the poison one more time.

"This time for sure." Ruby said while readying another catch attempt, "Go Pokeball!" She threw with the ball ensnaring the wild bird Pokemon. Like before, the ball shook a few times, then a silence went through the area. Then, a small click was heard. Ruby's eyes lit up as she ran over to pick up her third-party member. "Yes, I caught a Starly!" She cheered while jumping with joy.

"Eevee!" Eevee cheered as well while Rosa clapped.

"Not bad, you're getting the hang of this," Rosa said as Ruby giggled. "Now, three members should be enough to take on this gym."

"Cool," Ruby said before a question came to her mind, "Uh, how do these Gyms things work?"

"Well, each one specializes in a type that you have to battle and overcome." Rosa answered, "Oreburgh City has a Rock-type Gym. So, Budew will have the advantage. Your Starly will have some trouble, but since it knows Steel Wing, it should help a lot." She then looked down at Eevee, placing her hand on her chin, "As for you, it's going to be harder to do damage." The energetic trainer said before an idea come to her mind, "Unless we work on another new move for her to learn." She said with a grin as Ruby and Eevee had a look of confusion.

A while later.

The sun was almost setting as Roman leaned against the Route 203 sign. He grinned while tapping the Poketch screen, seeing a coin flip. In the corner of his eye, the orange-haired criminal saw Ruby and Rosa walking over, "Well, took you too long enough." He said before crossing his arms.

"Training takes a while." Rosa commented, then looked to Ruby, "But you did every well in preparing for this gym."

"Thanks," Ruby said before holding her three Pokeball, "Everyone come on out." She said before tossing all into the air, each opening and sending out the Pokemon inside.

"Eev!" Eevee cheered.

"Bud!" Budew boosted.

"Star!" Starly spoke up.

Each of the three Pokemon stood in a line in front of their trainer. Ruby knelt to look at them closer, "We're about to do our first gym. I'm counting on all of you to do your best." Each one nodded back with a smile, causing Ruby to giggle.

"So, you got a bird and a …vegetable?" Roman commented before his Pokeball opened.

"Murkrow!" the blackbird Pokemon appeared, standing behind Starly.

"Starly?" The starling Pokemon said as he turned around.

"Mur!" Murkrow responded, puffing out his chest and raising his head high.

"Star!" Starly responded in kind, a look of focus in his eyes.

"Murkrow!" Murkrow squawked louder.

"Starly!" Starly spoke even louder than before.

"Enough!" Roman ordered, returning his Pokemon, then sighed, "Look, let's just head to this city with the gym before nightfall. You can do the battle in the morning." He said while groaning and pinching the bridge of his nose. However, he then smirked before holding out his new device, "As for me, I got this Poketch and have looked into a lot of interesting app. Including a map."

"Cool, did you get us one?" Rosa asked while Ruby recalled her Pokemon.

"Why would I?" Roman responded, causing both girls to scowl.

"Tsk." Rosa said while walking past Roman, "I'll lead the way, I don't need your map."

Ruby mirrored the same displeased attitude, but was stopped by Roman, "I found an investigator who will help us search for the others." He said with her slightly gasping, "I don't know if he'll be of use, but I thought you should know."

"Did you mention my friends?" Ruby asked with a scowl, "Or were you just thinking of yourself again."

"I was thinking of Neo's safety." Roman responded, his anger building, "And for the record, I did mention you're annoying buddies." He said with Ruby having a look of confusion, "Look Red, I still don't like this arrangement. But, if we want to get out of here, we might need to find everyone before leaving this world." He then turned around, and started walking, "At least, I'm not leaving without Neo."

Before he got a few steps away, Ruby spoke up, "Thank you, Roman." These words causing the orange-haired criminal to stop, "I know you didn't have to mention them, but you did... that means a lot." She said with a soft smile as Roman stood. However, he continued walking with giving a response. Ruby sighed, looking off to the setting sun, "I know we'll find everyone soon." She said before walking down Route 203, heading towards the cave, and on the way to her first gym battle.

AN: There you go, a lot has happened. On Roman's side, he got a Poketch, Murkrow now knows Thief, and he meets Looker. With him helping out, the reuniting of all our friends might happen sooner than expected. For Ruby, she has two more new Pokemon. Budew is one of the most on-the-nose picks for a Pokemon for her, but it fits too well. She also catches a male tsundere Starly, a Pokemon that could fit for a few characters to have, but I picked Ruby. It was suggested for Yang, but I like the idea Ruby having some Pokemon that remind her of her friends as well. It will make leading them a bit easier for her at the start. With a party of three, she heads for the first gym. That battling is going to be intense and I hope you enjoy it coming soon. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.