Dwebble was this rock bug crab thing.

To be honest, he couldn’t believe that this was the only Pokemon he saw, despite running so long and so far into the forest. It was an outrage, really. At least ratta’s can scratch, pidgeys can peck, but dwebbles… it does appear that it could hide in its rock. Very good.

The full guy, the rock included, came up to his ankles at best, strangely shiny like it was holding some resemblance of ore inside or something, not just any old rock or so it would appear. Its little orange body was encased within the rock and that looked plastic even. To be honest, he wasn't sure that this guy could beat a caterpie if it had to fight it without its rock. Helmet couldn’t even imagine it, a scurrying orange body, practically a crab without a shell. Probably a tasty snack.

Despite it all, he was thankful for it. For being alive. Keeping his dream alive.

He was obedient at least. The moment he caught it, it was just before the Sun went down and before his pokeball was disabled. In the new darkness of the forest, hands on his knees, breathing heavily, he stared at the pokeball, just thinking, not even believing. And he tossed it open. Dwebble looked at him with a dull expression and would even follow him as he paced. Dwebble, it cried.

And so they went, he was always glancing behind to observe the little guy.

He, on the verge of death. And this rocky bug, his angel.

He made it. Just in time. And, now, as he strolled back through the forest, through the twist and the turns, the dreams and the desperation, he felt a great calm. Calmer than any coma. The breeze pushed him onwards. The greenery moved with his heartbeat. His breath moved with the night rustles.

Under the darkness, he was invincible.

He will be able to sleep, content again.

The next years were finally his.

***

That morning, he met up with parents again (They berated him for walking so dangerously at night, hugged him just for being alive, and cried for him once he showed them that even he made the deadline, little Dwebble watching on, as they laughed and cheered and even said their goodbyes… It was an emotional, embarrassing night), he was ready to leave. He had the bare essentials: food, water, clothes, a tent, and a compass along with a couple potions, full heals, and even a real, industrial pokeball.

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Most of his friends had left in the Dream Circuit, the moment it had started; 2 years ago. He would be the only one left… A lonely, difficult journey. He had a lot of ground to cover. He might not even make it past the first gym. The thought terrified him.

He waited, leaning on his heels, in a clearing just before the path that led to Striaton City, the first of eight Gym Cities. Usually, there were whole ceremonies, the biggest, of course, being the beginning 2 years ago, but smaller ones being held throughout as different Trainers leave at different times, a group of them choosing to leave one year ago, or most recently, a month ago. There would be parades, official Contest Trainers putting on a show with their Pokemon, entire speeches and cheers for each individual Trainer graduating for their first big journey. You could leave at any time, however, you just need a Circuit Official to, well, make it Official.

He glanced at his old watch, it still working fine. It was noon. The Official should be here any second. He glanced around. Out of nowhere, there appeared some Asian girl who after glancing at her phone, started glancing around.

She had a pale complexion and rosy cheeks, round glasses and a round face. She wore a blue jumper, just barely lanky and tall enough to fit her, and in her left hand, she clutched a pokeball as if nervous that someone was gonna steal it.

A Pokeball? Was she leaving on the last day too?

It was possible. Perhaps he shouldn’t even be so surprised. If someone really thought they couldn’t beat a gym and if their parents or whatever forced them into it, this would be the easiest way to get beat up as fast as possible. She looks weak. Like she was the sick one instead of me… Is she gonna be okay?

A couple minutes later, the Official arrived. As suspected, the girl and him were the last of the entire city to set off.

“And now,” the Official proclaimed, stiffening a yawn as he read from his clipboard. He had already asked the right questions, checking them for their parent’s signatures, identification, and even to see if their Pokeballs had a Pokemon within them. “I welcome you, Yuewen Nyugen, and you, Helmet Swain, into the Dream Circuit. Congratulations on your graduation.”

“Thank you,” Yuewun said with a slight bow. He muttered his thanks too and followed suit with a bow of his own.

The Official smiled and nodded. “You two should consider traveling with each other. It’s safer.” With that he left, probably cursing the two idiots that forced him to walk all this way on his last day no less.

They glanced at each other. She nodded first. He nodded second.

Her blank face and easy obedience… She kinda looked at Dwebble. He smirked a little, taking Dwebble’s Pokeball out of his pocket. In response, she held up her Pokeball as well.

“Huh,” he said. “What you want? You want to battle?”

“Sure…”

Hey. Not cool. Was it just him or was she totally looking down at him? She had a lower voice than he expected and within it, held the low exasperation you would treat a child with.

“Hey. Don’t be too weak… Well, I can’t really say that much right now. I only have Dwebble afterall.”

“Dwebble? Doesn’t it have a name?”

“Nah. Dwebble is dwebble. He has to earn his name.”

“Wow. I haven’t named my Pidove either.”

“See. You agree with me, right?”

She let out a big sigh and frowned suddenly, shaking her head.

“No. Actually, I think that’s stupid. I just haven’t thought of a name for her yet.”

“Dwebble is not stupid.”

“No, I think you’re stupid. For not naming him. And actually, for challenging me to a battle in the first place. Why would you even do that?”

“What? You said yes?”

“I was just going with the flow.” She put her Pokeball away and started strolling down the dirt path. “Come on. I did the math. If we walk for an average of 8 hours a day, we should be able to get to Striaton City in a week. And then we have to beat the gym leader in less than three weeks to avoid being kicked out of the circuit.”

“8 hours a day?” He said, putting his Pokeball back in his pocket. “Are you strong enough to walk that much?”

“Of course,” she said, smiling for the first time.