Going down Route 2 was easy enough. Going down hill was always better than going uphill. Louis told me that he had managed to add two Pokémon to his party. I told him about the four that I had added but I told him that I put them in the Storage System as I wasn't too interested in raising them for the time being.

We were walking in a grassy patch when I tripped over something large and fluffy. I looked around, seeing an orange fox looking at me.

"A Nickit?" I asked. The Nickit sniffed its snout towards my bag. "Oh no you don't." I released Scorbunny for a battle.

"Scorbunny, Quick Attack!" I called.

Scorbunny ran faster than I saw her go. Also, the Pokémon app on my phone tells me the gender of my Pokémon, as well as other useful information about the specific Pokémon I had.

Scorbunny hit Nickit. My Rotom Phone announced a Critical Hit as Nickit launched itself forward in a Quick Attack of its own.

"Scorbunny, use Ember." I said, hoping my gamble would pay off.

The flames covered Nickit's body, singeing its fur. Nickit took a step forward then fell forward. I waited a few seconds and when Nickit didn't move, I quickly threw a Poké ball, easily catching it.

Carrying on down the route, I battled two trainers, defeating them and catching a Yamper, Chewtle (using two Poké balls) and Seedot.

Louis battled a few Pokémon himself, revealing that he had also caught himself a Wooloo as well as a Blipbug, a Skwovet and a Hoothoot.

Coming close to the lone house on Route 2, a final trainer asked for a fight. Since I had battled the last two trainers, Louis and I agreed that he could battle him.

The trainer, Benjamin, asked for a two-on-two battle and Louis more than happily agreed. Benjamin held a Poké ball and together, both he and Louis threw their Poké balls, letting out their Pokémon, Louis's Hoothoot and Benjamin's Nickit.

"Hoothoot, use Peck!"

Hoothoot jumped forward and pecked at the Dark Type fox. Nickit stepped towards Hoothoot and became shrouded in black energy. Nickit charged forward and struck Hoothoot, then unexpectedly, a dark shadow of another Pokémon erupted from the dark energy and struck Hoothoot too.

"What was that?" Louis asked.

"Nickit's Beat Up." Benjamin answered. "It draws on all the power of all my Pokémon."

That would be interesting. I would definitely have to train Nickit and my Pokémon up so that Beat up would be as powerful as it can be. Especially against strong trainers.

"Hoothoot, try an Echoed Voice!" Louis called.

Hoothoot took in a breath and called out its name, as all Pokémon do, and sent 'air-rings' at Nickit. They seemed to do damage and in retaliation, Benjamin ordered another Beat Up. Nickit and the Pokémon shadow attacked Hoothoot again and Louis suggested another Echoed Voice.

This time, Hoothoot's Echoed Voice did more damage. I took out my phone and in the 'search' option, I typed in Echoed Voice and read the result.

'ECHOED VOICE, A NORMAL TYPE MOVE. THE USER ATTACKS THE TARGET WITH AN ECHOING VOICE. THE MORE THIS MOVE IS USED IN SUCCESSION, ITS POWER IS INCREASED.'

So if Hoothoot kept using Echoed Voice until the battle finished, it could become a very powerful move. I looked up as Louis called out. It appeared that I had missed Nickit's finishing move against Hoothoot. He returned Hoothoot to its ball and looked down at the others Poké balls on his belt. He picked one off and threw it, releasing his Sobble.

With a quick Water Pulse, Nickit was defeated and Benjamin sent out his second Pokémon, a Blipbug.

Since I had already caught a Blipbug myself, I knew that they only had access to one move; Struggle Bug. This would certainly be an interesting fight; a Sobble against a Blipbug.

"Struggle Bug!" Benjamin called.

Blipbug ran towards Sobble covered in a light green aura. Just as Blipbug reached Sobble, it turned around, barely hitting Sobble but definitely dealing some damage.

"Sobble, use Growl! Lower his Attack power!" Louis called.

Sobble moved in close and called out its name. Blipbug flinched back and as expected, used another Struggle Bug. Since Struggle Bug was a weak move in general, it was most often a last resort move choice. But now since Sobble's Growl had lowered Blipbug's Attack, it was even weaker.

"Sobble, Pound!"

Sobble raised a hand (or what I'm classing as a hand) and smacked Blipbug in the face, knocking back a few metres. Sobble had really gotten stronger since I saw it last. Perhaps Sobble had a little bit of extra training since last night.

Blipbug pushed itself up and charged one more time, but Sobble timed it right and managed to dodge the attack and fired a final Water Pulse to win the fight against Blipbug. Whilst he had lost the battle, Benjamin was happy for the chance to give his Pokémon a decent fight.

"Hey Benjamin, does someone named Magnolia live around here?" Louis asked.

"Yeah, just at the other side of that lake." He answered, pointing to a lake. "You can just walk around the edge and get to her house. It's the one with the purple roof."

"Thank you." I said, shaking his hand.

I saw a few Pokémon swimming close to the shore, only seeing the yellow pointed fins of Magikarp above the water. I saw a small dark pool. Since it had been a while, we took a rest and using the Bag app on my phone, pulled out my guide and flipped through it to the section on Fishing.

'As there are many Water Type Pokémon that prefer to live in the water, it is necessary for anyone wishing to befriend one to use a Fishing Rod.

But due to reasons unknown to all except the Pokémon themselves, water dwelling Pokémon only respond to Fishing Rods that are used at small dark pools close to the shoreline.'

I looked to the dark patch of water and made a decision. I put the guide away and got out my Fishing Rod.

"Are you really fishing now?" Louis asked me.

I nodded. "Why not? According to the book, it shouldn't take long."

I fixed up the rod and threw the line into the dark pool. Looking around, it did seem very peaceful. If someone did live around here, I could easily see why.

"Gordon, check your line." Louis hinted.

I looked to my fishing line and saw the bobber was swinging. I braced myself and began to tug on the line slightly. There was a slight resistance, but nothing serious. I pulled a little harder, feeling more resistance and when I felt it was right, I pulled as hard as I could.

A spray of water erupted from the lake and looking down at the water, I saw a lengthy brown and tan fish. I took out my phone opened the camera to scan the Pokémon. A beep sounded and an image of the full Pokémon appeared as my phone read out the text on the screen.

'ARROKUDA, THE RUSH POKÉMON. IF IT SEES ANY MOVEMENT AROUND IT, THIS POKÉMON CHARGES FOR IT STRAIGHTAWAY, LEADING WITH ITS SHARPLY POINTED JAW THAT IT IS VERY PROUD OF.'

I smiled as I knew who exactly would be fighting Arrokuda. I sent out Nickit and realised that she still needed healing.

I brought a Potion out of my bag and healed Nickit, but Arrokuda seemed to surround itself with an aura of water and launched itself at Nickit, moving too fast to avoid the attack.

I was about to call out a was about to call out a Quick Attack, when I remembered Louis's battle with Benjamin. And if what I was thinking was right, I had two Pokémon who had a Type Advantage against Arrokuda.

"Nickit, use Beat Up!" I called.

I heard Louis gasp slightly, most likely wondering what I was thinking. Nickit shrouded herself in Dark Type energy and jumped at Arrokuda. Arrokuda flopped itself back towards the water but Nickit managed to block its path and headbutt it into the air.

Four more shadows launched from the energy around Nickit and hit Arrokuda. I could make out the shapes of Scorbunny and Chewtle, who didn't seem to deal much damage, unlike the shadows od Seedot and Yamper, who dealt far more damage.

Arrokuda fell to the ground, gave a feeble flop and stilled. I decided to use my Premier Ball and threw it at the fish. It was tense moment as the ball shook the three times before the green light pulsed, telling me that Arrokuda had been captured.

I picked up the ball and scanned it with my phone, quickly getting the information on my latest capture.

Name: Arrokuda

Level: 5

Gender: Male

Ability: Swift Swim

Remaining HP : 2 points.

Usable Moves: Peck, Aqua Jet

"Hey Louis, do you think this Magnolia will have something to help me heal my Pokémon?" I asked.

"Probably." He guessed. "She's a Professor. Or at least a retired Professor."

"Let's find her house then." I said. "If you're ready anyway."

"Yeah I'm ready." Louis smiled.

Together, we walked for about another ten minutes before we saw the purple roof of Magnolia's house. And we knew it had to be hers since there were not other houses in the area.

We approached the house and I took note of the nice garden that she had. It was clear that she liked to grow her own vegetables. A wheelbarrow had some earth in it and a shovel was sticking out of the ground.

I saw something reflect some light where the shovel was. I walked over and looked at what it could be. I saw something blue sticking out of the ground. I knelt down and slowly pulled it out of the ground. It seemed to be a Poké ball of some sort. It had two red stripes on the blue section. I held it out and pressed the button. Since a Pokémon did not come out, I knew it was empty.

Louis knocked on the front and took a step back as the sound distracted me, making me accidentally put it in my pocket. I walked over as I heard the door open.

An elderly woman emerged from the door frame. She had withered a cane with a Pokémon handle. She wore a light green dress with a simple necklace and flat shoes.

"Can I help you two?" she asked, looking at the two of us.

"Are you Magnolia?" Louis asked.

"I am." She nodded. "How can I help you?"

"Sonia sent us." I added. "She wanted you to check on our Rotom Phones."

Magnolia nodded. "Has she given you the Pokédexes?"

"Yes. She wanted you to scan our phones and send her the reports." Louis told her. "She wants to know if everything's alright."

Magnolia nodded "Very well. If this has worked perfectly, then Sonia is certainly deserving of her title."

"Excuse me, but do you have something that can heal our Pokémon?" I asked. "They could do with a rest."

"Come with me." She smiled, leading us to the back of her house. She indicated a small machine with six slots. "Place your Poké balls on this machine and they will all be healed."

I told Louis to go first since I had more healthy Pokémon that could put up a fight if needed. As he was going to argue back, Magnolia told us that the process would only take a minute. After Louis healed his Pokémon, I healed all six of my Pokémon.

Magnolia offered us her spare room to spend the night. Looking at the clock, it would be better if we did stay here tonight. We left our bags in the room, which had one bed and a pull-out sofa-bed. We would sort out who slept where later on. We had a small meal, mainly sandwiches and juice and after that, I decided to go outside.

I sat down on a bench that looked over the lake. I let out Arrokuda for a little exercise and decided to let out Scorbunny and Nickit. Despite what I initially thought, Scorbunny and Nickit seemed to get along quite well.

"How are you doing?"

I turned around, seeing David approach me. "I'm alright. I caught a few more Pokémon and just caught an Arrokuda. Basically."

"Be careful around Cramorant if Arrokuda's out." David warned. "Cramorant tend to gorge themselves on Arrokuda."

"Thanks for the warning." I said.

"Where's Louis?" he asked.

"He's still inside as far as I know." I answered.

"What was he like battling?" David asked.

"Like any other trainer." I shrugged. "I can't think of any other way to put it."

David nodded and walked towards the house. I looked back out at the lake, seeing if I could see my Arrokuda but it appeared he had dove under a bit further. I called out to Arrokuda to not go too far just in case. Nickit and Scorbunny still seemed to be having fun. For some reason, I was more invested in these three Pokémon than my other captures. The next chance I would get, I knew that I would be putting them in the Storage System.

I walked to the lake's edge and sat at the shoreline. I breathed in the scent of the water and the grass. I leant back and placed my hands behind my head. I looked up at the sky, watching the mixture of orange and dark blue mix as the dusk began to turn to night.

I looked at a bright star and remembered the old saying about wishing on a star. I closed my eyes and made a wish. I opened my eyes and thought that the star looked bigger. I pushed myself to my elbows and quickly realised that it was indeed getting bigger.

I rolled out of the way and took a few steps back as the light hit the ground and split into two. Scorbunny and Nickit slowly approached with caution. I walked slowly to the two lights, seeing that they were two rocks. I held out my hand, feeling for any sort of heat. As my hand inched closer, any heat that might have been there was gone now.

I tapped one of the rocks, and as I felt no heat from it whatsoever, picked it up. I did the same with the other rock and looked at the them. They were certainly interestingly shaped. "Gordon! Are you alright?"

I instantly recognised the voice. "I'm fine Louis. Just dodged a few rocks."

"Rocks?" he asked, coming towards me. "Did a Pokémon use Rock Throw?"

"I don't think so." I answered. "These two just fell from the sky."

Louis took one of the rocks away. "What exactly is it?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe David or Magnolia will know what they are." Louis suggested.

I handed Louis the other rock. "Go and ask them about the rocks, I need to get Arrokuda."

"It's not in its ball?" he asked,

"He's in the lake. I decided to let him have a swim." I answered.

"What was that?"

Louis and I looked to see Magnolia and David walking towards us. I explained again and Magnolia asked to see the rocks. Louis handed them both over to Magnolia and she looked carefully at them.

"These are Wishing Stars." She said. "They are filled with an energy that allows Pokémon to both Dynamax and Gigantamax in battle."

"How?" I asked.

"By letting me turn them into Dynamax Bands." She smirked. "If you show both David and I a good battle. Right here, right now."

"Excuse me?" Louis asked.

"You heard her." David said. "I'll even give am Endorsement to the winner. A bit of incentive."

Louis and I looked at each other and smirked. We were both more than willing to have a battle; the first to win three matches. Louis took a few steps away from me, leaving enough room for our Pokémon to fight. I looked behind me slightly, seeing a shape coming to the surface.

"Arrokuda?" I asked, raising my voice slightly. My fishy Pokémon launched himself out of the water and floated in front of me. "Arrokuda can float?"

"Pokémon that live in the water can make themselves float on land if they need to." Magnolia answered.

Louis threw out his Pokémon, choosing to fight with his Blipbug. I knew just what move to start the fight with.

"Arrokuda, use Peck!"

Arrokuda sped through the air and using the point of his jaw, hit Blipbug. Blipbug flipped backward through the air and hit the ground. Hard.

"Blipbug, Struggle Bug!" Louis called the counter.

"Use Aqua Jet to dodge, then get it from behind!" I called.

Arrokuda surrounded himself with a cone of water and jetted upwards, dodging Blipbug's attack and circled back down like he was on a rollercoaster and struck Blipbug from behind, knocking it out. Louis returned his Blipbug and sent out his Wooloo.

I resisted the urge to ask if he was serious as I knew that every Pokémon was different and to not underestimate anything.

"Wooloo, use Tackle."

Wooloo rolled forward and struck Arrokuda, rolling over him. Luckily for me, Arrokuda floated straight back up and seemed to glare at the sheep Pokémon.

"Aqua Jet!" I said, hoping to quickly beat this Wooloo.

After Wooloo straightened itself after taking Arrokuda's Aqua Jet, Louis smirked which worried me. My Wooloo only had Tackle, Growl and Defence Curl. So it only stood to reason that Louis's Wooloo had those moves. Unless…

"Copycat." Louis told his Wooloo.

Wooloo became surrounded by a blue aura. The aura began to actually turn into water, lifting it into the air and sending it straight to Arrokuda. Arrokuda was sent flying back into the lake and Wooloo landed back at Louis's side.

I went to the lake's edge. "Arrokuda, are you alright?"

Arrokuda poked his head out of the lake then his body floated to the top. I returned him to his Premier Ball and turned back. Arrokuda was out, but there were still five Pokémon that I could draw power from.

"Nickit, you're up." I sent out my Dark Type.

"You're sending out your Nickit?" Louis asked.

"Of course I am." I smiled. "And I'm going to draw on the power of my team. Quick Attack!"

"Copycat!" Louis tried to say before I called out my order.

Nickit blurred forward, as did Wooloo and they hit each other at full speed. I flinched at hearing the smack.

Nickit shook her head and focused before Wooloo did. This was my chance. I ordered Nickit to use her Beat Up and she, along with the shadows of Scorbunny, Seedot, Yamper and Chewtle struck Wooloo, not giving it enough time to get out of the way. Wooloo's legs shook, then gave out. I gave myself a little victory by clenching my fists and whispering a sharp 'Yes' under my breath.

Louis returned Wooloo and thought for a few seconds. I had won two battles and he had only won one. This was his last choice. He threw his Poké ball, pinning his hopes on his starter, Sobble.

Before I had a chance to even think how to attack, Louis had called out his attack. "Water Pulse!"

Sobble spat out a globe of water that hit Nickit, soaking her face. She looked around, as if she was looking for Sobble. "Nickit, use Quick Attack!"

Nickit stopped looking around and sped forward, tripping over something and hurting herself. Nickit pulled herself to her feet and stumbled slightly, clearly confused.

"Nickit, use Beat Up!" I risked, seeing as I didn't have any berries that could cure confusion.

Nickit stopped moving for a second. She still seemed confused. "Turn to me slightly." Nickit must have heard me since she moved slightly. "The other way." Once Nickit was facing the right direction, I smiled and pointed forward. "Straight ahead Nickit, go!"

Nickit launched forward and sent the shadows of her teammates at Sobble. Whilst together, the team hurt Sobble, it wasn't enough to fully defeat it and with a well placed Pound, Nickit was defeated and put inside her Poké ball.

I had two good choices for my last Pokémon. Since their Poké balls were next to each other, I just decided to grab one and throw it. the beam of white light shot out and revealed that I had sent out my Seedot.

Whilst admittedly, I would have liked Yamper to battle, I could hopefully make it work against Sobble. I quickly scanned Seedot's Poké ball, hoping it would give me the information I need.

"Don't you know Seedot's attacks?" David asked.

"I haven't had the chance to look everyone up yet." I said, reading both the list and looking forward. "Seedot, use Harden!"

Seedot seemed to tense and since it was an acorn, I don't really know how I could tell. Sobble jumped at Seedot, raising its hand and used Pound. Seedot stood its ground, rolling onto its back, in a circle and back to its feet.

"Let's get you some health back." I said. "Seedot, use Absorb!"

The top of Seedot's body glowed red and a beam of light hit Sobble, stunning it and making it squirm and fall to the ground.

Sobble stood up and took a step forward, but fell onto its face. We waited another ten seconds to see if Sobble would get up and when it didn't, David stepped towards us.

"That really was an interesting battle." David said, handing me a folded piece of paper. "Here's your Endorsement Gordon. As promised."

"Thank you." I said.

David then turned around and walked towards his brother. "And here's your Endorsement too."

Louis took it without complaining, but he did ask, "But I though only the winner would get one?"

"I was always going to give you both an Endorsement." He said. "I just wanted to see how tough you'd battle if something like this was on the line."

"A fine battle." Magnolia agreed. "And using Nickit's Beat Up like that was inspired. I didn't know if you'd defeat that Wooloo."

"It was the only thing I could think of." I shrugged.

"Come inside and heal your Pokémon." Magnolia told us. "I'll give you both a gift in the morning."