“I think I'm going to become a water-type specialist,” said Sunny. She patted Coral, who was suctioned to the top of her head, and pressed her cheeks against Hector, who was cradled in her other arm. Caviar, much to my dismay, was also out scouting the route ahead. Sunny seemed to have taught him to give me plenty of space and I had only freaked out a couple of times since he joined.

  It was a week since our adventures in the fog and we were on the road again, heading for Crescent town. That day had, strangely enough, renewed our spirits and the week since was spent in hectic preparations for our journey. Mum and Daddy were horrified with my companions’ packing abilities when they found out their bags were mostly full of clothes, and the presumable tent they brought might barely have been enough for the summer and the one pot they had for cooking was pretty good for making porridge. Bashfully, Darren admitted that his parents were busy with work, and hadn’t been able to help him prepare, and Sunny said in a far chipper tone that her mother simply didn’t care. Leaving home, the three of us now had all the survival equipment we could possibly need, and a weight on our backs that reduced our speed by what I was currently estimating to be about thirty percent.

  I had mixed feelings about Caviar. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little betrayed by Sunny, but she was so visibly anxious about my reaction that it was hard to express even a small bit of dissatisfaction. Besides which, I had no right to dictate the team members of my companions. Finally, what convinced me to not only tolerate Caviar, but maybe even engage with him was that I needed experience dealing with flying-types. If I lost an important battle because I couldn’t think clearly due to facing a Pidgeotto, for example, I would only have myself to blame. I had done no progress so far on that front.

  Sunny was dreadfully worried about how I would take to traveling with a Wingull. When I told her it was fine, she hugged me and said that she had resolved her doubts about going on the journey. It should have been obvious, in retrospect: she loved Pokémon. So much that she was willing to fling herself down a cliff without a thought to help one that was lost and hurt. She was similar to what I wanted to be, in some ways, but she didn’t feel the same need for strength I did. Love and affection with her team was what she really wanted, and if there was someone around that needed help, she would, but she had no intention making that her mission.

  Darren too, though we hadn’t opened up about it like I had with Sunny, seemed to have found new purpose. He’d finish his training with Auri late at night and first thing in the morning he was out in the field again. In fact, all his free time was now dedicated to training. Both him and Auri looked far more focused than before. Saying, “when I become champion” had become something of a running joke of his, but lately, it didn’t feel like the ridiculous idea it had at first.

  As for me, I was ready to take on the world, or at least, the Silín region. With Mareep by my side, we were going to be unbeatable. As much as Darren said it, I was the one that was going to be the champion. I would do it this year, too, even though it was my first. After all, if Elaine could become the champion at fifteen, then so could I.

  “Makes sense,” said Darren. “If three of your Pokémon are already water-type, it would be strange not to take advantage of it.”

  “I know there are many really strong mono-type trainers, but I never understood why. Doesn't it give you a massive weakness when compared to a diverse team?” I asked.

  “Well, I've been doing some research on it, and while that's a disadvantage, it is balanced out by other factors. First of all, having a clear weakness means you can take steps to plan against likely strategies your opponent might use. For example, for my water-type team, I know that grass and electric types are what I have to watch out for. Wooper counters electric-types nicely, and both Wingull and Mareanie have advantages over grass-types. More importantly, it's easier to achieve team synergy when focusing on a single type. I get off one Rain Dance and the terrain immediately favours me. Finally, it's an issue of logistics. Pokémon of the same type typically need similar food and care. This minimizes the time and effort minding them, freeing up more time to actually train them.”

  The temperature had dropped further during the time we spent at home. Fortunately, both of my companions now had Grandma-knit jumpers and Darren wasn't going to freeze to death. Unfortunately, the heavier clothing meant we were doing even poorer time than before. Also, since I was wearing a backpack which weighed at least as much as I did, I wasn't exactly sprinting ahead like before. We had anticipated this and calculated we might get to Crescent town within a week if we were lucky, but more likely a couple of days after that. We were talking it easier, not pushing ourselves as much as we had on the road from Nocturne City.

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  The day passed without much excitement. We took regular breaks for snacks and we managed to keep our energy levels high throughout. We were setting up camp a couple of hours before sunset when a large shadow passed over us. I froze, eyes down, my hands clamped over the tent peg I was pinning into the ground. Wing-beats, far stronger than a Wingull’s thundered above.

  “Trainers!” a voice called. There was a thud as whatever it was landed. Whoever it was, they were laughing so much they struggled to form complete sentences.

  “Trainers, are you up for, are you, battle me!”

  “Excuse me, but would you mind putting Pidgeot away first,” said Darren. “My friend there isn't the biggest fan of flying-types.”

  There was the sound of bags hitting the ground and of a Pokémon being returned and I braved a peek. The newcomer was a young woman with short, golden hair that hovered like wings over her shoulders. She wore a black jacket over an aquamarine shirt with a thick, brown belt holding her pokeballs. White trousers and black boots and gloves completed her look.

  “I'm so sorry,” she said as she doubled over laughing. “I didn't realise, are you okay?”

  “I'm fine,” I said, standing and dusting myself off.

  “Great, so, anyone up for a battle? Oh! Right, I'm Ducky. Ducky Lette. I'm a Pokémon trainer, bounty hunter, and flying-type specialist. Pleased to meet you.”

  “I’m Darren, and this is Sunny and Calla. Nice meeting you.”

  “Also, those are Hector, Coraline, and Mareep,” added Sunny, pointing out our Pokémon. “Caviar is off flying someplace and Auri is collecting firewood.

  “Bounty hunter?” I asked, a frown forming on my lips.

  “One of the good ones, I promise. No conking from me, I just scare them off, or capture the really stubborn ones and release them somewhere safer.”

  “What's this about bounty hunting?” asked Darren.

  “Since the rangers are so ineffective, some people put up private bounties on troublesome Pokémon. The people who take these up have a reputation for using unsavoury methods to deal with them,” said Sunny giving Ducky the stink eye.

  “It's a serious problem,” said Ducky. “It's what happens when there’s no regulation. And why I try to take as many as I can and complete them properly. By challenging the Pokémon to a one on one battle! Speaking of, who wants to face me?”

  “Sorry to disappoint,” said Darren. “But we’re all new trainers. I don't think any of us can stand up to a fully evolved Pidgeot.”

  “Oh, that's not a problem. I've been with Birdie since forever, but I've got a couple I just caught recently that need some battle experience.”

  “I'll battle with you in that case,” said Darren. “Though I've only one Pokémon, so it'll have to be a one on one.”

  “Perfect, Rookie, you're up!” She flicked a pokeball into the air and a ball of blue and black feathers burst out of it. “So, who's my little guy's opponent?”

  While Darren called Auri from where she was gathering wood for the campfire later on and Sunny took on the role of the arbiter, I settled under the overhang of my just set up tent forcing myself to look at the Rookidee. They weren't common in Silín, but I had heard they could be found in some parts of Nocturne City. It puffed up as the Larvitar squared off against it.

  “This guy looks tough, Rookie,” said Ducky. “Let’s not get hit. We're ready!”

  “Ready,” Darren called back.

  “Begin!”

  The word had barely left Sunny's lips when the stones around Auri were ripped up and flung at the quickly airborne Rookidee. Compared to the pebbles Auri used in her fight against Mareep, these were much larger, she was possibly using Rock Slide over Rock Throw. My nails dug into the earth. She was getting strong fast.

  Rookie wasn't getting hit, though. He had the space advantage in the air and used it to full effect to dodge everything thrown at him.

  “Sharpen up,” said Ducky. Rookie let out a trill as Hone Claws made his talons gleam. His drop in speed cost him. A rock as large as he was crashed into him. The Rookidee faded and a double that had never even left the ground appeared. Ducky's laughter paused briefly as she yelled out to Substitute and claws again. Rookie was already moving, following Ducky's instructions before she gave them.

  “Don't let up, Auri!”

  She growled in frustration as she renewed her efforts. The battlefield was a mess, with stones and clumps of earth flying everywhere. Another of Rookie's substitutes got hit and disappeared. Then the flying-type was in close to Auri. Jaws slammed on his wing stopping him in his tracks.

  “Finish it!” said Ducky as Rookie’s foot swung into Auri's stomach knocking her across the field. Ducky whooped and was pulling out potions before Sunny could call the result. It was clear after a moment: Auri was laid out unconscious while Rookie was hurt but still standing.

  “Auri is unable to battle. The match goes to Ducky and Rookie,” said Sunny, though she didn't look quite sure of what had happened.

  “What? Auri!” Darren rushed over to this partner. She was coming to just as he hefted her onto his lap.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “Endure into Reversal,” said Ducky, though he wasn't expecting an answer. “Rookie did fantastic.” She finished spraying her Pokémon’s wing and whispered a few words before returning him.

  “It was a good battle, Auri's pretty cool. Alright, who’s up next?”