Chapter 4: Journey's First Steps

I'm sorry for everything. And you don't ever have to forgive me, because the truth is... I will love you, always.

Dawn's mind repeatedly echoed with her mother's words. The girl lay in her bed, she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep that day, all she could think about were those words, and the confessions both her and her mother had shared.

She glanced out the window, where the first streaks of dawn painted the sky in hues of soft pink and orange, signaling the beginning of a new day.

Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on her eyelids, Dawn knew she couldn't afford to try and get some sleep now. Embarking on a journey without any shut eye wasn't exactly recommended, but she had already agreed with Barry that they would both set for Sandgem at the crack of dawn. She wasn't about to lose to him.

Dawn slowly pushed herself up from the soft sheets, her pink pajamas adorned with delicate flowers rustling softly as she moved. Stretching her arms above her head, she yawned, feeling the weariness of sleeplessness tugging at her limbs.

She quickly changed into her favorite attire, slipping out of her pajamas and into a comfortable outfit suitable for the road ahead.

As Dawn stood in front of her full-length mirror, she placed a hand on her hip and stretched out one leg, inspecting her reflection, she had to look perfect, after all, today was an especially important day.

Dawn stepped out of her room, gently closing the door behind her to avoid disturbing her sleeping mother. Glancing over at the futon, she noticed her mother resting peacefully, a rare sight that brought a faint smile to Dawn's lips.

She tiptoed toward Johanna, careful not to disturb her slumber in the early morning hours. She really wanted to say goodbye to her, but at the same time, she wanted her to get her rest.

Dawn hesitated, uncertain of what to do here. Then, an idea struck her. She retraced her steps back to her room, returning with a hastily written note in hand.

With quiet steps, Dawn approached her sleeping mother. She carefully placed the note on Johanna's chest and leaned in to plant a soft kiss on her mother's cheek before retreating for the door silently.

As Dawn reached for the doorknob, Johanna snored softly, murmuring, "Dawn..." in her sleep. It caught Dawn's attention, causing her to pause for a moment, her hand lingering on the door handle.

A soft smile spread across Dawn's face as she took one last glance at her mother. With a gentle touch, she closed the door behind her, leaving the room in peaceful quietness.

Johanna continued to sleep soundly, her steady breaths filling the room. She and Dawn had talked a lot the day before, and although it would take a lot of work, there was a glimmer of hope their fractured relationship could be repaired.

At least that's what Dawn believed, otherwise she wouldn't have left a note bearing three simple words: "I love you," atop her sleeping mother.

In the branches of an old oak tree nestled in the heart of Sandgem, a Burmy clung to the leaves. Its mottled green and brown body blended perfectly with the foliage. No one would be able to notice it.

The little Pokémon shifted slightly, its cloak rustling as a soft autumn breeze wafted through the town. It hung there, remaining perfectly still, its beady eyes observing the quiet town below.

Sandgem was a quaint, inland town, its cobblestone streets lined with charming houses and small shops. The morning sun casted a warm glow over the town, where citizens bustled about their daily routines. A Combee buzzed by, its body mimicking a honeycomb, while a group or Bidoof played near a small pond.

Nearby, a Kricketot chirped from its perch on a fence post, its rhythmic song playing like a melody. It was about 11 AM, the day was only beginning, but little did the villagers know, their day was about to get a lot louder.

Dawn walked past the "Welcome to Sandgem" sign, her breath coming in quick burst. She had been running, and beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. Her eyes scanned the town ahead, taking in the houses and building ahead.

It didn't look all too different from her hometown, but still, it was an amazing feeling. All Dawn ever knew was Twinleaf; she had never seen another town aside from her own. The sight of Sandgem felt surreal, she felt like she had stepped into a whole new world entirely.

Dawn began walking, glancing around for Professor Rowan's lab. She thought, I bet Barry hasn't made it here yet. It's a good thing I woke up an hour to get a head start, he's probably at home right now eating his breakfast or something.

The previous day had been filled with heavy emotional turmoil for Dawn, she learned a lot about herself, but her mother as well. Knowing that, Dawn felt like she couldn't lose anything, especially not to Barry. Determination fueled her steps as she walked through the village, searching every corner and turn.

As Dawn continued to scour the streets of Sandgem, her eyes spotted a specific building in the distance that looked like it could be a lab. With a burst of excitement, she exclaimed, "That has to be it!"

Approaching the lab, Dawn was struck by its grandeur. Its sleek, modern architecture stood against the picturesque backdrop of Sandgem. It was far larger and more impressive than she anticipated, leading her to think that Professor Rowan must be a much bigger deal than she could've imagined.

Dawn grinned to herself. "Maybe I should wait for Barry," she mused aloud, climbing the stairs with a playful smirk.

Suddenly, from above, Dawn heard a familiar voice. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, Dawn. Looks like you and me do think alike," it called out.

With a look of awe, Dawn gazed upward to see Barry perched on the roof, his feet dangling off the edge. With a V sign, he quipped, "What took you so long? I thought I might shrivel up from old age."

"I-impossible! How'd you make it here so fast?" Dawn exclaimed, not able to believe it. "I mean, I was sure I'd make it here before you!"

"What can I say, Dawn? I've always been faster than you!" Barry boasted before dropping down from the roof, landing right in front of Dawn. "Well, I believe we said that the loser would be fined, did we not?"

"Yeah..." Dawn muttered, hanging her head in defeat.

Barry pulled out a pad of sticky notes, jotting down something before affixing it to Dawn's forehead. Dawn removed the sticky note, revealing the message which read: "5,000 Poké Dollars owed to Barry Pearl."

"Woah, 5,000 Poké Dollars!? I don't have that kind of money!" Dawn protested, having at the most a few hundred on her.

Barry grinned, "Just suck it up Dawn, like I did when I lost that game of Pokémon Cards. I gave you my rare 1st edition Charizard card, remember?"

"I guess so..." Dawn paused, then realized, "Hold on, that was my rare 1st edition Charizard card I gave you after I lost!"

Barry suddenly shifted his tone, closing his eyes and looking away from Dawn. "Uh, well, it doesn't matter anyway, there's no need to argue semantics, alright? We're here now, aren't we?"

Dawn looked at the building, pondering, "What do you think it was Professor Rowan wanted to tell us?"

"There's only one way to find out," Barry remarked, his hand resting on the doorknob as he twisted and opened it.

Standing in the doorway with a sharp, piercing gaze was the same boy who had accompanied Professor Rowan the day before, the same boy who opposed them getting a Pokémon.

His brow furrowed deeply, and his eyes narrowed into a stern, disapproving glare as he fixed his gaze upon Dawn and Barry.

Barry leaned in close to Dawn, his voice barely above a whisper, as he muttered, "Hey, Dawn. Who's this guy anyway?"

Dawn turned to Barry, her voice also hushed, "Are you serious? He was with Professor Rowan yesterday; he was the one who actually handed us the Poké Balls."

"Oh yeah... I forgot about that," Barry whispered. "What was his name again though? He didn't seem too important."

The boy's eye began to twitch with irritation, a vein pulsating on his forehead as he stared them down. "It's Lucas. Lucas Diamond," he snapped, his voice edged with annoyance. "And I could hear you idiots from a mile away."

Barry shifted his gaze from Lucas back to Dawn, whispering, "He looks angry. I'm starting to think he might not like us."

"I really don't like you guys," Lucas said with a scowl, face red with anger.

"Did you hear that?" Dawn asked Barry, seemingly unfazed by Lucas's comment.

"Jesus Christ, these kids..." Lucas muttered, rubbing his forehead. "Are you guys here to see Professor Rowan. Or are you just here to talk?"

Dawn and Barry stood silently, their lack of response serving as an answer to Lucas's question.

"Professor Rowan has been expecting you two... for some reason," Lucas stated, gesturing for them to follow him inside. "Follow me, I'll take you guys to him."

As Dawn and Barry followed closely behind Lucas, the hallway stretched out before them, lined with doors on either side. The walls were painted a neutral beige, and the floor was polished to a shine, reflecting the fluorescent lights overhead.

Eventually, they reached a large double door at the end of the hall. Lucas pushed it open, revealing a spacious room filled with shelves of books and various scientific instruments. In the center of the room stood a large desk, behind which sat Professor Rowan, meticulously examining some papers while indulging in a donut.

Lucas cleared his throat to catch the professor's attention. "Professor," he began, "I have with me Barry and Dawn, those kids from yesterday."

Professor Rowan glanced up from his desk, his gaze lingering on the donut in his hand. With a quick dip into a cup of milk beside him, he finished the last bite before setting the treat aside. "Ah, Barry and Dawn, it's good to see you both," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying across the room.

Barry's gaze wandered around the room, fixating on various objects as he spoke, "And it's good to see you too, Professor!"

Dawn inquired with a warm smile, "How's your day been so far, Professor?"

Rowan stood up from his seat and gave a bright smile. "Better now that you two are here," he said. "My two new protégés, please allow me to see the Pokémon I handed you both yesterday."

Dawn and Barry simultaneously took out the Poké Balls bestowed upon them by Professor Rowan the day before. With a press of the button, a vibrant red light emitted from the spheres, bringing out their respective Pokémon companions.

Piplup stood before his trainer confidently, its sleek blue body shimmering under the laboratory lights. Its chest puffed out proudly, and it let out a small chirp, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Chimchar bounded out of his Poké Ball, his fiery tail blazing with energy. With a quick glance around the laboratory, he seemed to recognize his surroundings before fixating his gaze on Professor Rowan. With a burst of enthusiasm, he leaped towards the professor, who accepted the fire type with open arms.

Professor Rowan chuckled affectionately as he lifted Chimchar into his arms, gently swinging the Pokémon around in playful delight. "You seem quite pleased to see me, don't you, little one?" he remarked, his voice brimming with warmth. "I trust you and Dawn are beginning to form a bond. Am I correct?"

Chimchar turned his face towards his trainer, who wore a hopeful smile. But instead of reciprocating, Chimchar let out a dismissive scoff, "Char, Char!" he exclaimed, turning away from Dawn.

Dawn's hopeful smile gradually dimished, replaced by a subtle crease of disappointment on her face. Even after everything that happened between us yesterday, he still doesn't... she thought, trailing off in her mind.

Chimchar's facade of indifference wavered slightly as he glanced back at Dawn. For once, in his eyes, there was a discernible flicker of recognition, a fleeting hint of longing masked by his attempt to appear aloof.

Professor Rowan had observed the look in Chimchar's eyes for that brief moment, a knowing smile gracing his lips. "Excellent," he remarked, "It appears both Piplup and Chimchar are in good hands. Just as I anticipated." With a gentle motion, he released Chimchar to the ground.

Chimchar approached Dawn's feet with deliberate steps, while Piplup stood nearby, casting haughty glances at Chimchar. Piplup lowered an eyelid, a smug grin spreading across its face as it snickered at Chimchar, much to the fire type's annoyance.

Professor Rowan began, "Let's move on to the main topic. There is something I want you to do for me. Allow me to properly introduce myself first. My name, as you know, is Rowan, and I study Pokémon. I want to understand exactly what kinds of Pokémon live in the Sinnoh region. To do that, we need to collect data using the Pokédex."

He continued, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out two small, sleek devices. "These," he said, holding them up for Dawn and Barry to see, "are Pokédexes. They are essential tools for our research."

The Pokédexes had a glossy, platinum finish with a clamshell design. Barry's was a vibrant orange, and Dawn's a soft pink. Each device featured a small screen on the upper half and a series of buttons on the lower half. Rowan handed them over towards both Barry and Dawn.

Dawn looked at the Pokédex, tilting her head curiously. "It looks like a DS?" she remarked.

"Does it have the GBA cartridge slot?" Barry asked, searching the device for it.

Lucas began getting fed up hearing their comments. "It's not a toy! That's the Pokédex! Few trainers in the world ever get their hands on one!"

"Lucas!" Professor Rowan exclaimed, his tone urging Lucas to calm down. "Anyways, while you two are on your journeys around the region, use that Pokédex to scan Pokémon. All the information from there goes back to me."

"Sure, not a problem!" Barry agreed enthusiastically, giving a thumbs-up.

"This is an awesome device, I'll be sure to use it, Professor Rowan!" Dawn promised with a bright smile.

"I have something else essential for your journey," Professor Rowan declared producing a set of Poké Balls—six for Dawn and six for Barry. "Those Poké Balls should be good enough for the start of your journey, of course, should you need any more you can always purchase more at Poké Marts."

Dawn and Barry eagerly reached out and took their Poké Balls offered by Professor Rowan, excitement clearly plastered on their faces.

Professor Rowan leaned back, his fingers absentmindedly stroking his beard as he pondered. "Let's see," he mused, "I believe that covers everything I wanted to discuss with you two today. However, as new Pokémon Trainers, I'm sure some guidance on the use of the Pokédex and those Poké Balls might prove beneficial."

Dawn's eyebrows arched in surprise as she echoed, "Guidance?"

As Professor Rowan's eyes moved from Dawn and Barry to Lucas, Lucas caught on and voiced his discontent, "No, no no no no no, don't tell me you're thinking what I think you're thinking!"

"Lucas, these two won't make it on their own without some pointers, they are now my students, same as you, this might make a good trust exercise," Professor Rowan urged, his tone firm yet gentle.

"Trust exercise, as if. Look, Professor, I respect you more than anything! But you're asking too much from me here," Lucas ranted, looking away from the Professor and crossing his arms. "Like you said, they're your students, right? You teach them."

Dawn turned to Barry, shocked at his declaration. This guy, he sucks up to Professor Rowan so much and yet he's refusing a direct order from him to instruct us. How much does this guy not like me and Barry? she wondered silently.

A knowing smile formed on Professor Rowan's lips. "Ah, Lucas," he began, his tone carrying a false sense of admiration, "you truly are one of the most exceptional individuals I've had the pleasure of teaching. Your intellect rivals, if not surpasses, my own. Your dedication to the study of Pokémon is unparalleled, and your insights have often shed light on new discoveries in our field."

Lucas's dropped his arms, not sure where the Professor was getting at.

"However," Professor Rowan continued, his voice taking on a more casual tone, "if you feel the task is beyond you, I understand. It's a lot to ask, and I wouldn't want to burden you unnecessarily. Perhaps Dawn and Barry would benefit more from my personal guidance, wouldn't you agree?"

Lucas's stern expression softened, his lips forming a slight curve upward as a glimmer of gratification danced in his eyes.

"Follow me, Barry, Dawn," Lucas said with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, darting ahead of them. He glanced back over his shoulder, a rare smile gracing his lips. "I'm going to show you two the ins and outs of being a trainer. My intellect surpasses even the Professor's, after all!"

Dawn and Barry stood at the door of the lab, watching Lucas eagerly as he gestured for them to follow.

Dawn giggled, glancing at Barry. "Say what you want about him, but he's kinda funny, isn't he?"

Barry scoffed. "Pfft, funny in the head maybe. Professor Rowan talks nice to him and suddenly his entire tune changes."

"Hey!" Lucas yelled, once more grasping the attention of Dawn and Barry. He waved at them again. "C'mon guys, the party's this way!"

Barry shook his head. "Look, Luke, right?" he said. "Much as I appreciate the help, I don't need any handholding. My dad is Palmer Pearl, a Frontier Brain. I don't need any coddling!"

Lucas's wide smile dropped, replaced by a mix of astonishment and realization. "Wait a minute," he began, his voice trailing off slightly, "you're the son of Palmer—the Tower Tycoon!?"

"Yup!" Barry leaned back casually, resting his head on his arms with a confident grin. "He's taught me everything I need to know about catching Pokémon. As for this Pokédex thing... I'm sure I can figure that out on my own!"

Barry turned to Dawn, his posture relaxed but his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright then, Dawn. I'm gonna get a move on. Apparently, the closest gym is in some place called Oreburgh City, a bit past Jubilife. I'm heading there first, so you better catch up soon, or I might have to fine you!"

Dawn's smile widened, "Oreburgh, huh? I think I've heard about that place before. No need to worry, I'll meet you there. And hey, maybe when we see each other, we can have a little rematch. Of course, I won't lose to you again!" She punctuated her words with a playful wink.

"As if, but of course, I can't say no to a challenge," Barry grinned, his competitive spirit shining through. "Alright Dawn, let's try and meet in Oreburgh, and I promise we'll have another battle!" His enthusiasm contagious, Barry set off towards their next destination, eager for the adventure that lay ahead.

Lucas walked beside Dawn, shaking his head in disbelief. "That guy, he's unbelievable. He's running in the complete opposite direction of Oreburgh—you know what, let me not say anything."

Dawn smiled. "That's what I like about Barry," she remarked. "I know you probably don't think it, but he knows what he's doing. He's really smart, a lot smarter than me even."

"If you say so," Lucas conceded with a shrug. "Well, I guess Barry won't be joining us, but I can still give you those pointers at least."

Dawn paused, mulling over Lucas's offer as she descended the lab's steps. Eventually, she shook her head. "No thanks, José," she replied firmly, meeting Lucas's gaze. "If Barry doesn't need any advice, then neither do I. I'm going to be every bit the trainer he is. I don't need any handholding either."

"What!?" Lucas's eyebrows shot up in astonishment, his eyes slightly agape.

As Dawn strode away, she glanced back at Lucas. "Well, since we're both students of Professor Rowan, I guess we'll cross paths again soon," she remarked with a playful smirk. "But I hope it's not too soon." With a mischievous grin, she stuck out her tongue at Lucas before dashing off.

Lucas remained on the lab's porch, his hands balling into tight fists. "I really don't like those two," he muttered through gritted teeth.

In the forest outside of Sandgem, Dawn trekked along the winding path towards Jubilife, her next destination on her path to become a master.

The forest was dense with towering trees, their branches intertwining to create a canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight into dapped patterns on the forest floor. Shrubs and ferns carpeted the ground, while the occasional wild Pokémon darted between the foliage. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and fresh greenery.

As Dawn strolled past the forest path, her thoughts meandered. Man, that Professor Rowan is so kind, if it weren't for him, none of this would be possible... she thought, before her mind drifted off to Lucas. But man, that other guy, he sure has an attitude. The less of him I have to deal with, the better.

Suddenly, the girl's ears perked up at the faint rustling emanating from a nearby thicket. Instinctively, she halted, her gaze fixated on the source of the disturbance.

A Pokémon, it's gotta be...! Dawn thought excitedly. She stepped closer to the rustling bush, her heart pounding with anticipation as she reached for one of her Poké Balls.

"Come on out, whatever you are!" Dawn yelled, her voice echoing through the forest. She stood ready, her eyes glued to the bush as the rustling grew louder.

From the bushes leaped a Pokémon Dawn recognized instantly: a Pachirisu. The small, squirrel-like creature bounded energetically into view, its bushy tail waving like a flag. Its bright eyes sparkled with curiosity, and it paused to stand on its hind legs, chittering excitedly as it surveyed Dawn with interest.

"A Pachirisu! That's a great Pokémon to join my squad!" Dawn exclaimed eagerly. "Chimchar I choose you!" She yelled as she tossed her Poké Ball into the air.

Chimchar leaped out of the flashing red light of the Poké Ball, but instead of landing in front of his trainer, he climbed the tree in the blink of an eye. In moments, he was perched atop a high branch, settling down as if trying to rest.

Dawn looked up at Chimchar in disbelief. "Oh, come on, Chimchar! I thought we were over this!" She exclaimed, frustration clear in her voice.

Chimchar didn't even acknowledge Dawn. Instead, he mimicked her, moving his hands as if he were talking and saying, "Char, Char Char Char, Chim Chim," in a mocking tone.

Dawn didn't have any time to argue with her Pokémon. The Pachirisu, its cheeks crackling fiercely with electricity energy, darted towards her. Bolts of lightning arced off its body, illuminating the area with blinding flashes.

As Dawn shielded her face from the impending onslaught, a sudden rush of wind swept past her. Blinking away the residual sparks dancing in her vision, she peered away to find Chimchar standing bravely in front of her.

With swift movements, Chimchar launched into a ferocious Scratch attack. Each swipe of its claws was like a slashing whirlwind, sending Pachirisu reeling back with each glow. The force of impact sent Pachirisu crashing into a nearby tree, the wood splintering with a resounding crack under the force of the collision.

"P-Pachaaa!" Pachirisu groaned in pain, clutching its side as it spat up some saliva.

Dawn's surprise was evident in her voice as she exclaimed, "Chimchar!" She didn't expect him to come to her aid, but so he did.

"Chimchar, Chim!" Chimchar confidently turned his back on Pachirisu, crossing his arms as if to assert his dominance.

While Chimchar was underestimating his opponent, Pachirisu took advantage and swiftly delivered a powerful Thunder Shock from behind. The crackling energy surged through Chimchar's body, sending jolts of pain coursing through him.

With a sharp cry, Chimchar dropped to one knee, his muscles tensing as he struggled to endure the shock. His fur stood on end, crackling with residual energy, as he gritted his teeth against the pain.

Dawn's heart raced as she watched her Pokémon falter under Pachirisu's attack. "O-oh no, Chimchar!" she gasped, her voice filled with concern and fear.

Pachirisu took deliberate steps toward Chimchar, a triumphant glint in its eyes. The air crackled with electricity as Pachirisu's fur bristled with renewed energy, ready to deliver a finishing blow.

As the electric type prepared to unleash another Thunder Shock, a sudden burst of speed, like a verdant blur, slammed into it, sending the electric Pokémon stumbling backward.

Dawn's eyes widened in astonishment. "W-what the!?" She gaped, her gaze fixated on the Turtwig now standing before her, poised for battle.

"Look at you, needing help after all," a familiar voice quipped from behind. Dawn's gaze shifted to Lucas, who stood behind her with a smirk, leaning casually against a nearby tree.

Dawn pouted, her features contorting in annoyance. "I don't need your help! I can handle this on my own!"

"Oh really?" I can leave if you want me too," Lucas replied, his tone casual as he shrugged.

Dawn's eyes shifted ahead to Chimchar, who was limping, stray bolts of static electricity keeping him from moving further.

The girl's voice wavered as she spoke. "Um, well, I wouldn't wanna hog all the fun," she said, switching her tune completely.

Lucas turned to the Pachirisu, observing its stumbling movements and the flicker of fatigue in its eyes. He extended his hand toward Dawn. "A Poké Ball, if you will," he requested.

Dawn swiftly reached into her bag, retrieving a Poké Ball and tossing it toward Lucas. With precise timing, he caught it mid-air, redirecting his focus back to the weakened Pokémon.

Pachirisu's fur once again bristled with vibrant sparks as it charged forward, a surge of electrical energy sizzling around its body. With a burst of speed, it launched itself towards Turtwig, the air around it shimmering with electrifying intensity as it aimed to deliver a potent shock.

"Turtwig, Razor Leaf now!" Lucas's face lit up with triumph as he swung his arm confidently, commanding his Pokémon into action.

With a mighty roar, Turtwig summoned the power of nature, causing sharp dagger-like leaves to materialize around it. With a swift motion, it unleashed a barrage of Razor Leaf attacks, each life slicing through the environment with incredible speed and precision.

As Pachirisu attempted to evade, the Razor Leaf assault struck with relentless force. The leaves tore through the air with a deafening roar, creating a storm of sharp projectiles that surrounded the Electric-type Pokémon. With each impact, the force of the attack sent shockwaves reverberating through the forest, shaking the ground beneath them.

Pachirisu was overwhelmed by the sheer power of the Razor Leaf onslaught, unable to withstand the relentless barrage as it was battered from all sides. Pachirisu's movements grew sluggish as it plummeted to the forest floor, with a soft thud, it landed, defeated and unconscious.

With a confident grin, Lucas swiftly launched a Poké Ball towards the motionless Pachirisu, the red and white sphere arching through the air before striking its target with precision, taking it within.

The tension in the air was palpable as the Poké Ball rocked back and forth, each shake sending a surge of anticipation through Dawn and Lucas. The Poké Ball shook three times until finally, with a resounding ding, Pachirisu was caught.

"Yes!" Lucas jubilantly raised his arm in victory, his face beaming with pride. "Good job, Turtwig! You did incredible out there!"

Turtwig enthusiastically grabbed the Poké Ball with its teeth, bounding over to Lucas and placing the Poké Ball at his feet. "Turt, Turtwig!" It cheered; its eyes gleaming with excitement.

"So, Professor Rowan gave you the last of the 3 Pokémon, huh?" Dawn asked, her tone inquisitive.

Lucas rose to his feet, clutching the Poké Ball firmly. "Yup, the Professor's very generous," he affirmed. "I owe him a lot."

Dawn's smile widened. "Maybe I misjudged you. Thanks for catching Pachirisu for me," she said, prompting a chuckle from Lucas.

Lucas stood firm. "Sorry, but I'm not as generous as the Professor," he declared. "You said you don't need any handholding, remember? I'm keeping this one."

The girl's smile faded. "Fine, if you want it, you can keep it," she conceded. "But... you didn't come all the way here to steal my first capture, did you?"

"I didn't come here looking for you," Lucas admitted. "I came here to look for a Pokémon, our paths just happened to cross, that's all. Though it's clear to me you and Chimchar really need to work on your teamwork, Pokémon are generally stronger when they work together in harmony with their trainer."

It was then when Dawn's attention was abruptly seized by Chimchar's pained cry. She pivoted to witness Chimchar clutching his chest, an electric shock coursing through him.

Dawn's heart raced as she dashed toward Chimchar, dropping to her knees beside her starter with a gasp. "What happened to you, Chimchar?" she cried out in fear.

Lucas approached from behind Dawn, his tone calm and knowledgeable. "I've seen this before," he began, drawing her attention. "It's paralysis," he explained. "It can be caused by certain abilities like Static or moves like Thunder Shock. It seems Pachirisu's attack left Chimchar paralyzed."

"There must be some kind of way to cure it!" Dawn pleaded, her voice carrying a note of desperation.

"There is," Lucas's voice was reassuring as he produced a red spherical berry with a long, swirly stem from his bag. "This is what we call a Cheri Berry," he explained, his gaze fixed on Dawn. "I suggest you give it to Chimchar." He tossed the berry to Dawn, who caught it deftly.

Dawn gently fed the Cheri Berry to Chimchar, whose eyes suddenly sparkled with renewed vigor.

With a relieved sigh, Dawn watched as Chimchar regained its strength, springing up with a sudden burst of energy. The Pokémon then amazed Dawn by effortlessly balancing on one arm in a handstand.

"I got to say, thank you Lucas," Dawn turned her head to thank Lucas, but to her surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. Both Lucas and his Turtwig had already disappeared into the dense foliage, leaving Dawn alone with Chimchar once more.

Whew, I got this chapter out in like, record time. Kind of proud of myself for that.

So, considering the last 2 chapters have been very emotionally heavy, I tried to keep this one lighter and more comedic. I hope you guys think it did that well.

Oh yeah, considering that long in the future, this fic will serve as a time capsule for my past, future yonas813, this chapter was uploaded on your sister's 24th birthday, that has nothing to do with this, but I felt like saying that.

Alright, the next chapter will most likely actually take 4ish days for me to make, so expect it then, later gators.

—yonas813, out.