Since Davis couldn't get a gym battle in Floriba City, he and his friends move on and are looking for another gym. Right now, they stopped to have some lunch while they tried to figure out where to go.

"Cletus, any idea where the next gym is?" Davis asked.

"I'm looking." Cletus said as he looked over a map while stirring some stew. "Found it. It looks like the nearest gym from here would in Washingburg City. It's a great city that has lots to see. It sounds like a good place as any to get your next badge."

"Sweet! I'm getting my next badge there for sure." Davis said as he was getting excited.

"Hey! I found some fresh water!" Tetsu called as he came back with some water. "Is everyone ready to eat?" All the pokemon cheered as they were glad to get lunch. Just then, Davis realized someone was missing.

"Hold on. Where did Sandile go, Cletus?" Davis asked as he didn't see Sandile anywhere.

"Sandile?" Cletus questioned with him looking around. "Sandile, where are you?!" Suddenly, he heard Sandile calling out and could see Sandile running back. When Sandile did, it bit down on Cletus' clothes and was trying to pull along. "Is something wrong?"

"Sounds like we should check this out." Davis said as it seemed like this was something important.

It's a big big world, but you know where to find me

We'll be together and we're gonna do it our way

We'll discover we believe in each other

On adventures with my friends like every day

And we're already on our way

The journey stars today

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh OH OH Oh

The journey starts today

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

The journey starts today

(Davis' voice) Up, Up, and Pup

Sandile wanted to show everyone and it seemed like it was something important. They hurried through the trees until they arrived at a rocky field. Once there, they saw three of the same pokemon and one smaller one that looked similar to them. The smaller one looked exhausted as it was battling against the other three.

"Who are they?" Imperialdramon asked.

"A Lillipup with three Herdier." Cletus answered. Wanting to know more, Davis pulled out his pokedex.

"Lillipup, the Puppy Pokemon. A normal-type. Lillipup are much smarter than the average child, so it will always remember the love or abuse that it has been dealt."

"Herdier, the Loyal Dog Pokemon. A normal-type, and the evolve form of Lillipup. It's black fur are so strong that sharp fangs bounce off it. It is believed that Herdier were the first pokemon to befriend people."

All of them watch closely as to what was happening. Lillipup tried attacking the Herdier in the middle as it charged right at it, but Herdier used Take Down and easily knocked Lillipup back. The other two added to the pressure as they both used Thunderbolt right on Lillipup and did some more damage. Seeing this was a shock the guys.

"What's going on out there?" Tetsu said.

"I don't know, but that Lillipup isn't doing so well." Cletus said. Lillipup wasn't giving up as it tried getting back up and tried using Shadow Ball on them, but the attack just passed right through the Herdier.

"Arf! Arf!" Lillipup kept barking and was trying do something, but nothing was working.

"Is it trying to use Roar?" Cletus questioned. If it was, it was failing at it. The three Herdier attacked again and blasted Lillipup with a triple Thunderbolt. Lillipup got hit hard by the attack and was taken down from it. It looked like Lillipup was finished, but the other three just left it there as they all took off. One did look back and held disappointment in its eyes, but just kept going.

"What was that about?!" Davis said.

"I don't know, but Lillipup needs help!" Cletus said as he hurried over with Sandile. Cletus reached Lillipup and lifted it in his arms carefully. "It's okay. We've got you."

"Sandile..." Seeing that Lillipup was in need of help, they took Lillipup back to their camp and treated its injuries. Cletus did a fine job of performing first aid on it. All they had to do was wait until Lillipup woke up and it soon did.

"Hey! Look who is up!" Davis said as they were all glad to see that. Lillipup looked around like it was curious as to what was going on.

"It's okay. We saw you were injured and came over to help you." Cletus said. All of the pokemon were assuring Lillipup was in good hands.

"Arff!" Lillipup seemed to have went for it as it looked very happy. It climbed right on Cletus and started licking his face. It just bounced around and did the same for others.

"You really are a friendly pokemon, aren't you?" Davis said.

"Still, take it easy, Lillipup." Cletus said as he lifted Lillipup and placed it back down for it to rest. "You are injured and you need to rest." Lillipup appeared to be obedient as it stayed put just like Cletus said.

"Lillipup, could you tell me what happened?" Imperialdramon said as he lowered itself to Lillipup's level. "Why were the those Herdier attacking you?" Lillipup started explaining the situation with Imperialdramon understanding.

"What did it say?" Davis asked.

"Apparently, this one is the runt of it's litter." Imperialdramon said. "Basically, it was trying to prove itself to those other three on how strong it was, but it clearly didn't do so well."

"It was trying to prove it's strength?" Tetsu said. "Why would Lillipup feel the need to do that?"

"Well, it's sort of like how you want to be a better gym leader, or feel like your sisters overshadow you." Cletus answered. "Lillipup must want to prove it has what it takes, that it's just as strong as those Herdier. It must not be a lot of fun when your older siblings seems so impressive while you're not."

"I get it. Lillipup was trying to prove it's worth." Davis said. Lillipup barked to confirm that it was all true.

"Exactly, but it failed because those three clobbered, Lillipup." Cletus said. That made Lillipup feel bad. Cletus could see that Lillipup wants to prove that it's just as strong as those Herdier are. It was like something you can't just ignore. "Hey, don't look so down. Maybe we can help."

"Yeah! Some training will help and prove to those Herdier you're just as tough!" Davis said as he agreed with Cletus. Lillipup seemed to love that they wanted to help.

"Question. How are we going to help Lillipup get stronger? Those Herdier looked like they hardly broke a sweat." Tetsu said.

"By getting the right moves." Cletus said as he already know what to do. "Sandile, care to help out."

"Sandile!" Sandile seemed more than glad to help out. Once they made sure Lillipup was in good enough shape, Cletus took Lillipup and Sandile and they stood facing each other for a battle. "I noticed a couple moves you were trying, Lillipup. You tried Shadow Ball, but that isn't going to work. Herdier are normal-types, so Shadow Ball will have no effect. I also noticed you were trying to use Roar. That might be just what you need. That's what we'll practice on. Sandile, I just need you to stand there."

"Sandile!"

"How is Roar going to help?" Davis asked.

"Well, when you used on a wild pokemon, Roar can scare them into running away." Cletus explained. "When used on a caught pokemon, they return to their pokeball. If Lillipup has a move like that, I doubt it will have much to worry about."

"So, if Sandile returns to its pokeball, that will show Lillipup has mastered Roar." Tetsu said.

"Exactly. Go on, Lillipup. Let's see what you can do now." Cletus said. Lillipup followed along with it. Lillipup tried using Roar, but it was more like a bark and didn't really do anything. "Okay... I guess it has a lot of work to do."

"No worries. Some training to help get stronger might help." Davis suggested and Cletus agreed with that.

"Sandile, endure against whatever Lillipup throws against you." Cletus said with Sandile ready. Lillipup charged right at Sandile and tackled against it, but Sandile endured.

"Sandile has to do more than play defense." Davis said. "Lillipup has got to be able to evade and defend as well."

"Good idea." Cletus said. "Sandile, Rock Tomb! Lillipup, you've got to try and dodge!" Both pokemon did what he said as they both went on with their training and did as much as they could. Lillipup tried getting stronger and they were all doing what they could to help. While they were training, one of the Herdier was watching over what was going on.

...

Later

They spent most of the day training and trying to get Lillipup stronger. The sun was already beginning to go down, but the training was still going.

"How much more can they take?" Tetsu questioned as he couldn't believe they were still going. Lillipup was serious about getting stronger and just wasn't stopping. Sandile endured all that it could, but how much more can both pokemon take.

"You're doing great, both of you. Maybe we should stop." Cletus said, but Lillipup didn't want to. Lillipup wanted to keep going and did just that as it charged straight at Sandile and tackled Sandile hard. In fact, Sandile was tackled hard and was knocked right into a rock. "Sandile!" It looked like Sandile was tackled hard and took a lot of damage from smashing into that rock. Lillipup realized what it did and felt guilty.

"Oh man! Is Sandile okay?!" Davis said as they rushed to Sandile's aid.

"Let's get Sandile back to the camp and get it treated." Cletus said. All of them agreed and hurried on over to treat Sandile's injuries.

"Is Sandile going to be okay?" Tetsu asked.

"I think so. Let's just give Sandile some rest." Cletus said. That all was good to hear, but Lillipup still felt guilty about the whole thing. Since that was really it for the day, they all just got themselves some dinner and got themselves ready for bed. Cletus left Sandile out to make it easier for Sandile to rest, but Lillipup stayed up and watched over Sandile. Something that Cletus noticed. "Lillipup, it will be okay. Sandile will be fine in the morning." He assured with Lillipup hoping so.

...

The Next Day

Sandile was awake and was feeling a good again. All of them were glad to see that Sandile was feeling well again.

"There you go. All better." Cletus said with Lillipup not feeling bad anymore. "Lillipup, I must say that you've gotten plenty strong." Lillipup did feel a little stronger and was feeling good about itself. Just then, they heard barking going on and saw the three Herdier were back.

"It's them again! What are they doing here?" Tetsu questioned. The Herdier spoke with Imperialdramon translating for them.

"The Herdier have been watching us. They know Lillipup has been getting stronger and they want to see how strong Lillipup has gotten." Imperialdramon said.

"They're challenging Lillipup?" Davis said. This sounds like the chance that Lillipup has been waiting for.

"Arff!" Lillipup accepted the challenge as it stepped forward and was ready for a battle. The only thing Cletus and the others can do now is watch. Lillipup started this battle as it charged right at the one in the center and was using Take Down, but Herdier used Take Down as well. The two of them collided into each other and tried to push the other back. Lillipup held its own, but Herdier was able to knock Lillipup back. Lillipup might have been pushed back, but it remained strong. Lillipup tried again and smashed itself hard against Herdier and was able to push it back. However, Herdier countered by using Thunderbolt and Lillipup ended up getting zapped.

"Is Lillipup going to be okay?" Tetsu questioned.

"Of course it will." Davis said. They noticed that all three were going to use Thunderbolt together.

"They're all about to use Thunderbolt to test Lillipup's strength." Imperialdramon said as this wasn't going to look good.

"I know! Lillipup, you can use Shadow Ball now!" Davis said with all of them wondering what he meant. Lillipup did it just as the three used Thunderbolt. The attacks collided and ended up causing a large explosion and blocked out the Thunderbolts.

"I get it! Shadow Ball wouldn't work on the three Herdier, but it could be used to block that attack." Cletus said. Lillipup is doing well, but I don't think this can go on for much longer."

"Well, how is it going to end?" Tetsu questioned.

"Lillipup! It's time! You've got to use Roar!" Cletus called. "Roar with all your might and get them to run off! That will show you're just as tough as they are!" Lillipup agreed with Cletus. It was now or never. Lillipup focused and put all of it's power in the attack. With a deep breath, Lillipup roared with all the power it could. A powerful soundwave was released as Lillipup roared. All three of them got caught in it and it might have worked. The three Herdier got a little spooked and ran off.

"It worked!" Davis cheered as they were all glad to see that Lillipup was able to pull it off. One Herdier looked back as it ran off and was rather glad that Lillipup pulled it off.

...

Later

Lillipup managed to pull it off and proved it's strength. It was thanks to Cletus and the others helping out. Since it was all over, Davis and the others were ready to go.

"You're one tough little pokemon." Davis said. "You managed to get those three Herdier to run off."

"You be careful now, Lillipup. You might be stronger, but don't let it go to your head." Cletus said. "Take care." He said as they were all heading off, but Lillipup wasn't ready to leave just yet. Lillipup started barking and chased after Cletus. "Lillipup? What is it?"

"Hold on. Lillipup wants to go with you, Cletus, since it's thanks to you that it got stronger, and wants to get stronger with you." Imperialdramon said.

"Makes sense to me." Tetsu said.

"Yeah. Go for it, Cletus." Davis said. Cletus was a little surprised, but he went with it.

"You got it." Cletus said as he reached for a pokeball. "I think we would make a great team." He threw the pokeball with Lillipup practically jumping into it. The pokeball shook around a little until it dinged and Lillipup officially belonged to Cletus. "A new friend to the team. My own Lillipup."

Now that Lillipup has proven it's strength, Cletus has a new pokemon to have with him. Our heroes and their little family is only going to grow bigger and stronger, as the journey continues.

To Be Continued...