The sun was shining over Lake Verity, the crown jewel of West Sinnoh and one of its regional treasures. The people visiting the lake, however, didn't have tourism in mind.

Several men and women, all with bowl-cut green hair and wearing grey spandex uniforms, were setting up machinery and reading various scientific reports and readouts. Overseeing the grunts' work was a short, bespectacled man with lavender hair, adjusting his glasses as he read the data provided on his computer.

"Fascinating. This is one of the three lakes of Sinnoh, and as expected there are several legendary Pokémon energy readings. Looks like the myths were true after all." The man grinned, switching between several different readings and data while writing strings of codes on his laptop.

A grunt approached, giving a formal salute. "Are we going to catch Mesprit now, Charon sir? It's rumored to live here."

Charon sneered, passing a hand over his hair. He shook his head.

"Don't be ridiculous, that's the main branch's job. Even if it was actually here, it'd probably overwhelm us; same for Azelf and Uxie in Lake Valor and Acuity." He glared at the grunt. "We should easily obtain control of a much more important puzzle piece with our current data. Meanwhile, you grunts should ask less and act more. There are several Pokémon here in Route 202 we could make use of."

The grunt turned around. "All that's around here are Starly and Bidoof. Way too many Bidoof."

"Anything is useful." Charon frowned, his attention going back to the laptop. "As I said, ask less and act more. That's all you have to do."

"Yes sir." The grunt bowed, returning to work.

Charon followed him out of the corner of his eye, grinning as he saw the grunt and all the others work hard on gathering Pokémon. He had waited for a while to test out that theory his old colleague Ein was working on years before, and this would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

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Route 202 was not exactly the most remarkable tract of land in Sinnoh: it was just a long path lined with trees, with greenery everywhere and lots of Pokémon running around, connecting Sandgem and Twinleaf. Not much different from any other route in the region.

Not like Mitsumi minded; she enjoyed the quiet atmosphere the road gave her, and it was reassuring to know that a bold Bidoof was the biggest danger she could meet.

She grabbed her Town Map from the bag, checking her position. Lake Verity was still a good thirty minutes away. She frowned, but strode onward. Professor Rowan was counting on her, after all.

He had been very gracious and helpful in accepting her as his assistant without asking many questions, and she had to repay that kindness. Plus, these errands were child's play compared to other tasks she had been ordered to do.

Mitsumi shook her head, focusing on the road: even if a Bidoof was the most fearsome creature of the route, it was better to not keep her guard too low.

She palmed a Poké Ball, throwing it. "Starly, tell me if there's anyone around us."

The brown flying-type materialized in mid-air, nodding and shooting upward. Mitsumi clenched her fingers around her briefcase's handle, shooting glances everywhere.

Everything was fine, too fine. Nothing was ever this fine. Something had to be wrong.

She breathed slowly, deep in thought as she pressed onward. What she wasn't thinking about was where her feet were falling, and she suddenly tripped over an unusually large rock.

She breathed slowly, carefully pondering every step. However, she didn't account for the unusually large rock.

"Gah!" Mitsumi rolled several feet before a tree stopped her. She rose quickly, rubbing her aching back while glaring at the oversized hunk of stone.

"Stupid rock!" she yelled, kicking it.

Satisfied she had punished the offending stone, she quickly turned around and continued walking onward. A few steps later, the ground began shaking and stopped Mitsumi in her tracks.

Before her stood a large Onix that just emerged from the ground, and its central stone looked quite like the one she had just kicked.

"Crap." She bit her lip, frowning. She had no idea why an Onix was in Route 202, but there was no time to ask herself that.

She put a hand in her bag. "Infernape, use-"

Finding no Poké Ball, she paled; then, she recalled how she had left her team with the Professor. She cursed; did she really have to lower her guard on that, of all things?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the Onix tried to ram her with its head. She snapped back to attention and jumped to safety right on time. Starly noticed the commotion and perched on a nearby tree branch, awaiting instructions.

Mitsumi pointed ahead. "Starly, use Tackle!"

The bird quickly shot towards Onix, slamming into its stony body; the bird crashed to the ground for its troubles, but it quickly regained its feet, flying back to safety. Mitsumi scowled. She expected that result, but it was worth trying.

As the Onix aimed back at her, Mitsumi bared her teeth. She didn't have many options, but maybe-

"Hey, Onix, calm down!"

Hearing a new voice call out, Mitsumi and the Onix paused. They both turned around to see someone jump from a nearby tree and land right between the two. The newcomer was a very short boy wearing nothing but tattered shorts with spiky black hair, red eyes and a pair of Z-shaped birthmarks on his cheeks. He glanced at both, a wide smile on his face, before turning towards Onix.

"You don't need to start fighting with everyone! I'm sure she didn't mean to step on you!" The boy crossed his arms.

Onix scowled at the boy while he just kept beaming. Onix rolled his eyes and turned around, huffing and snaking away.

The boy kept watching, then shrugged at Mitsumi. "Don't mind him, he's a bit short-tempered. He will apologize later!"

"Uhm, if you say so." Mitsumi rubbed her neck, confused. "Was that your Pokémon?"

The boy kept smiling, hands behind his head. "Not really. He's my friend!"

"Friend?" Mitsumi frowned.

The boy nodded, and Mitsumi could see that they weren't alone in the Route: all around them were several Aipom, a couple of Starly, a Drifloon and even a Bidoof. Mitsumi flinched, only to see the Pokémon approaching and stopping close to them, with no ill intent.

The mysterious boy expanded his arms to the sides, smile widening. "We've lived together in different Routes before arriving here! They're my family!"

Mitsumi blinked, eyes back on the kid. His Pokémon were his family? That was new. She had heard of trainers so close to their Pokémon they regarded each other as family, but he seemed far too young to be a trainer to begin with, much less to have reached that bond. And how in hell was he able to travel around Sinnoh with little to no clothing?

She shook her head; she had no time for those headaches. Her life was complicated enough as it was.

The boy walked forward, raising a hand. "My name is Hareta! What's yours?"

Mitsumi hesitated for a second, then smiled. She kept forgetting that it was safe to give out her name.

"Mitsumi," she said.

Hareta raised both arms, never losing his sincere smile. "Nice to meet you, Mitsumi!"

She nodded, then quickly turned around and walked alongside Starly. "Thanks for the help, but I really have to go now."

"Where are you going?" Hareta ran in front of her and kept the pace while giving her a curious glance, especially at her briefcase.

She instinctively held it closer. "Lake Verity."

Hareta pondered the name, looking upwards. Then, he grinned. "Oh! It's that big lake near here, right? I know a shortcut!"

Mitsumi stopped, blinking at him. "Really?"

"Yes!" Hareta beamed, rushing to the side while gesturing at her. "Just follow me, I'll show you!"

Mitsumi observed Hareta and his 'family' take a side-path through the Route, following him with her eyes. Aside from being a weird kid, he didn't seem dangerous. She could definitely trust him, and if she could save a few minutes of walking with a detour, then so be it. Twinleaf's Nurse Joy could probably wait a bit for the delivery.

She followed behind Hareta, keeping a wary eye on the path around her.

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The two strode onward for several minutes, Mitsumi never lowering her guard again and minding every step she took. She found that her vigilance was becoming increasingly difficult to mantain as Hareta ran at her side, looking at her while walking.

"Why are you going to Lake Verity, Mitsumi?" Hareta asked, head tilted.

Mitsumi sighed. There was probably no issue with telling him.

"Research." She adjusted her bag. "I work for Professor Rowan. We are studying the connection between the three biggest lakes of Sinnoh and the legendary Pokémon said to dwell there."

"Three?" Hareta crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. "Aren't they four?"

"Four?" Mitsumi blinked. Then, she shook her head. "No, there's only Lake Verity, Lake Valor and Lake Acuity. All the other lakes are mostly minor and have no big history connected to them."

Hareta remained silent, scratching his neck. "Dad told me they were four."

"Your dad?" Mitsumi blinked, looking at Hareta. "Like, a Pokémon dad?"

She turned around towards the wild Pokémon following them, trying to identify Hareta's 'father'. Hareta gave her a puzzled look, then laughed.

"Oh no, he's human!" He beamed, hands behind his neck as he stared skyward. "He's always travelling the world, so I haven't seen him in a while."

"And he left you alone, just like that?" Mitsumi tilted her head.

Hareta shook his head, extending his arms towards the Pokémon. "I'm not alone. All my friends are here!"

The Aipom, Drifloon and Bidoof nodded at once. Mitsumi just blinked some more.

Hareta approached her again with a quizzical look. "What about you? Where's your family?"

Mitsumi froze, quickly turning her eyes down. She clutched her bag again, gulping. Then, she looked back to Hareta, forcing a smile. "It's complicated."

Hareta blinked this time, then beamed as he understood. "Oh, I see! Your parents travel a lot too!"

Mitsumi let out a chuckle, avoiding eye contact.

"You can say that." She glanced sideways. "I'd like to find them, actually."

"Well, I hope you do!" Hareta told her with a smile. "I'm looking for my dad as well."

"Do you know where he's gone?" Mitsumi eyed him again, curious.

"Nope!" His smile didn't waver, and he raised a fist to the sky. "But I'll find him eventually! I just need to search!"

Mitsumi was at a loss of words once more. She just blinked, and then palmed her face. It was probably better to stay silent.

Suddenly, a rumbling noise was heard and Mitsumi raised her guard once more, fingering Starly's Poké Ball. She heard it again, and finally recognized the sound. It was just a stomach.

Mitsumi turned around, searching for the Pokémon to blame until then she locked on Hareta rubbing his belly, laughing. She raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, we didn't eat yet today!" Hareta rubbed his neck, smiling as usual. "Do you want to join us?"

Mitsumi took a deep breath, storing the Poké Ball away. Then, she shook her head. "Uhm, I'm not really hungry-"

Her own stomach's rumbling betrayed her. She gulped and looked to the side.

"Well, maybe something." She blushed.

"Alright!" Hareta turned around and rushed at a nearby tree. "Wait here, I'm gonna get some food!"

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Without missing a beat, Hareta climbed the tree with expertise, smelling each berry before plucking them. All around him, the Aipom did the same thing. Mitsumi followed Hareta with her eyes, comparing him with the Aipom; she found no difference in behavior. He was almost like a Pokémon himself.

After several minutes of gathering Hareta and the Aipom jumped back down, carrying a large pile of berries with them. They placed them on the ground, and Hareta and the monkey Pokémon sat down near it.

Hareta gestured to Mitsumi as he and his Pokémon started eating. "Here, pick what you want."

"Thanks." Mitsumi sat as well, eyeing the pile.

Her berry knowledge wasn't the best, but she knew that they were for the most part edible to humans. After some pondering she grabbed a spiky, orange-brown berry, which she identified as a Petaya Berry. She started munching at it.

And then she stopped soon as she felt the taste, her face growing fifty shades of red as she barely managed not to throw up. She took several deep breaths and a sip of her water before starting to feel somewhat better.

"It tastes good, right?" Hareta smiled innocently, munching a Petaya Berry of his own.

Mitsumi blinked, then nodded and lied. "Y-yeah, it does."

"I'm glad! That's my favorite Berry!" Hareta's smile widened as he downed the rest of the Petaya.

Mitsumi went pale, turning back to the berry stash. There were a lot of Petaya Berries. She gulped and sweated, giving a nervous laugh.

Thankfully for her, Hareta suddenly frowned and looked around, standing again.

"Hm, weird." He rubbed his neck, squinting his eyes.

Mitsumi tilted her head. "What's wrong?"

"Onix should be here by now." Hareta crossed his arms. "Even when he gets grumpy he doesn't leave for too long."

Mitsumi searched the area as well, seeing no trace of Onix. And this was weird: Route 202 wasn't that long to her knowledge, and Onix were certainly not good at hiding.

Then, a loud cry was heard. Mitsumi gripped Starly's Poké Ball, sharpening her gaze.

"What was that?" she asked, running several possible strategies through her mind.

Hareta's eyes idened as he jumped up quickly and ran away alongside the rest of his Pokémon. "It's Onix! He's back!"

Mitsumi flinched, lowering her Ball and followed behind. "Hey, wait!"

She ran after the Pokémon and Hareta for a while, the forest slowly giving way to a large meadow and shoreline. She stopped soon after, widening her eyes at the scene in front of her: Hareta and all his Pokémon family standing in front of Onix, who looked ready to strike.

"You're here!" Hareta walked on, giving Onix a stern look. "We were getting worried, you know! You should tell us when you don't return soon!"

Mitsumi narrowed her eyes, tightening her grip on the briefcase. There was something odd with the Onix, or rather his eyes: they were bloodshot and fierce, even more than when she angered it.

Hareta noticed it too, his expression turning into confusion as he blinked. "Onix?"

Onix didn't reply, instead rearing back his head, diving for Hareta.

Mitsumi paled. "Look out!"

Hareta's reflexes saved him as he rolled to the side, just as Onix cratered its attack into the ground. He stared at him wide-eyed.

"Onix! Why did you attack me?" Hareta asked, as the rest of the Pokémon took on defensive stances.

Onix didn't reply, instead going back on the offensive. In the next attack, Hareta and the Pokémon were blown away, but the colossal stone snake didn't slow its assault.

Mitsumi bit her lip, rummaging through her bag before remembering that Infernape's Poké Ball wasn't there. She only had Starly, and it had fared marvelously against that Onix earlier.

"Damn." She eyed the battle, seeing Hareta and the rest of his 'family' constantly dodging Onix's rampage, never attacking and trying to talk him back to his senses. She clenched her fists, thinking of how useless she was- until she remembered she wasn't.

She glanced at the briefcase, remembering its contents: three starter Pokémon, a request from the Twinleaf Town Pokémon Center for a couple of trainers that met Rowan's standards but couldn't travel all the way to Sandgem. She didn't like the idea of betraying the Professor's trust, but she figured the kids could live with one fewer choice of starter.

Mitsumi opened the briefcase and looked at the starters, only to notice Onix ready to headbutt her; she yelled and ducked toward the ground, the shockwave of the impact enough to make her stumble and fall, sending the briefcase and Poké Balls skittering away from her grasp.

She paled and stood up again, finding Onix's shadow looming over her. She looked up, bloodshot and furious eyes meeting her own, and all her body tensed up.

Her hand reached for Starly's Poké Ball, but Onix had already darted forward. She would never make it in time, but she would still try.

Onix lurched forward. She was ready to toss the Ball, but something came up, blocking the path. Or rather, someone.

Mitsumi was speechless as Hareta stopped Onix from hitting her, holding him back with his bare hands and all his strength. He stared straight at Onix's eyes, baring his teeth.

"Onix it's me, Hareta! Don't you recognize me?" Hareta asked, worry seeping in his voice.

Onix roared in response, pushing ahead, but Hareta didn't yeld, even as he cried in pain.

"We need to leave, now!" Mitsumi cried as she rose to her feet again before turning the other way and running to safety.

"No!"

Mitsumi stopped, facing Hareta again, his body and muscles tense.

"I have no idea what's going on, but I can't go!" Hareta said, closing his eyes and pushing Onix's head further back. "Onix is a dear friend of mine! I need to help him!"

Hareta yelled at full strength, and Onix was tossed away. As Hareta breathed hard, Mitsumi could see the determination in his eyes as he prepared to fight again. She clenched her fists: she couldn't leave him, but he needed help.

She scanned the area, and beamed as she found the briefcase again, with its contents right next to it.

Mitsumi quickly pointed to the Poké Balls and cupped the other hand around her mouth. "Hareta, pick one of those! They'll help us out with Onix!"

Hareta turned in the direction of her gesturing and ran closer to the devices, tilting his head.

"What are those?" Hareta asked, scratching his neck and observing the spheres.

"They are Poké Balls! Just use one!"

Hareta looked at the spheres again, grabbing the central one. He shook it, squinting his eyes.

"How do you open this?" He placed it in his mouth, munching on it.

Mitsumi went pale. "Wait, it doesn't work that-"

Hareta's teeth sunk into the activation button, and the Poké Ball burst open in a flash of light.

"Piplup!"

The Sinnoh Water-type started raised a flipper up with a huge smile. That smile quickly faded as he waved his flippers frantically as he tried to escape Hareta's mouth.

Mitsumi blinked, then slapped her forehead wordless. They were doomed.

Hareta finally spat Piplup on the ground, laughing nervously as the starter glared at him.

"Sorry about that, almost swallowed you there." Hareta rubbed his neck, before turning serious. "Can you help us calm Onix down?"

Piplup scowled and faced the other way, flippers folded.

Mitsumi's expression darkened. Of course he had to pick the most stubborn and prideful of the bunch.

She quickly recollected herself, cupping both hands around her mouth. "Hareta, Water-type attacks are strong against Onix! Ask Piplup to use Bubblebeam!"

"Okay!" Hareta nodded as he pointed towards Onix. "Piplup, use Bubblebeam!"

Piplup didn't answer, facing the other way still.

Hareta blinked, kneeling at his height. "Huh, you don't want to fight?"

Piplup grumbled, glaring his way. Hareta remained still, then nodded and stood up once more.

"Alright then, I will! You just go to safety!" he said, charging straight at the Onix while Piplup sat and watched.

"You shouldn't let your Pokémon command you! It should be the other way around!" Mitsumi yelled, before tossing her Poké Ball. "Starly, keep Onix busy!"

The bird Pokémon appeared and quickly flew all around Onix, catching his attention: the Onix tried to headbutt it, only to find himself being pulled down. He let out a mighty roar and turned around to see Hareta blocking him.

He tried breaking free of the boy's hold, but the other Pokémon wanted none of it. All the Aipom jumped on his body and tried weighting it down, even the Bidoof tried to help. None of them could hold on as Onix thrashed around, not even Hareta.

Piplup shook his head as he observed. That whole display of effort felt utterly pathetic: what did they expect to accomplish? An Onix was too big and too strong to be defeated like that. He was definitely glad that the Onix didn't choose him as his target.

Or at least, not yet.

And as a large shadow loomed over him, Piplup lost all his sass and bravado, paling and widening his eyes. He tried to rise and run away, but the headbutt was too fast.

Piplup felt a sharp pain as his body impacted on a rock, feeling all the air leave his lungs. He slid to the ground and breathed heavily, the Onix still aiming for him.

The Water-type closed his eyes. It was all over, or so he thought.

"Piplup!"

Someone tackled him away, just as the rock shattered from Onix's headbutt. They rolled over the grass before suddenly halting. Piplup opened his eyes in confusion, finding Hareta's smile to welcome him.

"You're not hurt, thankfully." Hareta set Piplup down before standing again. "Stay here, we'll finish this in no time!"

He rushed back into the action, tackling Onix with all his might, his Pokémon family helping out too.

Piplup's skepticism turned to wonder. They were clearly no match for Onix in strength and durability, and yet they didn't give in.

They were so stupid. So... brave.

Piplup stood again, narrowed eyes locked on the Onix.

He could make up a small detail ontop of the Onix's horn: a small circular device, beeping on and off. Nobody seemed to have noticed it yet.

The starter steeled himself, glare sharpening. He summoned all his strength, inhaling.

Then he exhaled, and a barrage of bubbles shot towards Onix's horn.

Onix yelled in pain as the device shattered, before suddenly going still and crashing on his side, defeated.

The offensive ceased immediately as the Pokémon family and Hareta rushed to Onix's head, fear and worry written on their faces.

"Onix! How are you?" Hareta grabbed his friend's head, shaking it lightly.

Onix slowly opened his eyes, focusing on Hareta before tilting his head. His eyes were clear again.

Hareta beamed, and the other Pokémon followed suit before smothering Onix in a group hug.

"You're back to normal!" Hareta said, tightening the hug. Onix didn't understand why he was so happy, but that didn't stop him from hugging everyone back with his rocky coils.

As Hareta and his family celebrated, Mitsumi smiled and recalled her Starly. Her expression turned serious as she looked down at the ground, grabbing a fragment of the destroyed device.

"So that's what happened." She frowned, analyzing it. "Someone put this device on Onix to make him go berserk."

Hareta turned to Mitsumi, eyeing the machine. "Who would do something so cruel?"

"I have a few ideas." Her eyes went to the broken yellow emblem resembling a G. "I doubt the culprits are still around."

Hareta said nothing as his eyes darted down, but he quickly recovered his smile as he patted Onix's head.

"What matters the most is that Onix is safe." He grinned, then raised his other arm and turned around. "Thanks a lot, Piplup! We would've never done it without you!"

Piplup pretended not to listen him, facing the other way. Hareta blinked, raising an eyebrow.

Mitsumi sighed, arms crossed. "Piplup is very proud of himself. He probably still hasn't forgiven you for earlier."

"Oh, I see." Hareta nodded, his grin splitting his face once more. "I will do my best to make up for it, in that case!"

Mitsumi smiled briefly before returning serious, eyes on the path behind them.

"Alright." She dusted herself off and began walking away. "Now, I think we should go back and-"

"Wait!"

Mitsumi turned around, blinking as she saw Hareta smelling the air like a Growlithe before pointing ahead.

"I remember this smell! We're almost at the lake!" He beamed once more.

Mitsumi gave him a puzzled look. "Really?"

"Yeah!" He nodded, before running the way he had indicated. "Follow me!"

Hareta and his Pokémon family ran ahead, leaving Mitsumi behind. She sighed before her eyes returned to the broken device, clenching her hands around it. They were here, and were still up to their old tricks.

She shook her head and stashed the item in her bag, following the boy. She had to be prepared for anything next time, but for now the Professor's task took priority.

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"Here we are!" Hareta raised his arms as he took in a long breath, alongside all his Pokémon family.

Mitsumi stopped next to him, observing the large lake in front of her. Like Route 202 it didn't look particularly impressive, being just a big body of water with several trees all around it. And yet, the gentle breeze and the crystalline-looking water made the location seem quite pleasant; for a moment, it felt like all her worries and problems disappeared.

"So this is Lake Verity." She took a deep breath of her own before kneeling at the water's edge , seeing various Magikarp swimming freely.

"It's a very nice place." Hareta put his hands behind his neck, eyes to the sky. "My dad used to bring me here often."

"Do you miss him?"

"A bit." Hareta grinned. "But I know he's fine, nothing could slow him down for long!"

Mitsumi found herself smiling again. His optimism and liveliness was almost infectious, and she hadn't felt that relaxed since way before she even met Professor Rowan-

She widened her eyes, then quickly sat on the ground and rummaged through her backpack, earning a confused glance by Hareta.

"Right! I need to inform the Professor!" She quickly pulled out a computer and started a call, waiting for it to be accepted. "Professor Rowan, can you hear me?"

The stern frown of Rowan greeted her on the screen, dividing his attention between her and some papers.

"I hear you, Mitsumi. Did you arrive at Lake Verity?"

Mitsumi nodded. "Yes, I've had a couple of issues, but I reached the lake just now."

"What kind of issues?" Rowan turned his full attention to her screen.

Mitsumi rubbed her neck, forcing a grin. "Well, there was this raging Onix, and this kid called Hareta helped me-"

"Wait a second. Hareta?" Rowan inched closer to the screen, putting the documents away.

Mitsumi blinked. "Uhm, that's his name, yes."

The Professor was about to speak again when Hareta barged in, giving his brightest smile as he waved at Rowan.

"Hey, it's Gramps! Long time no see!" he said, almost plastering his face on the screen.

"It's really you, Hareta. I haven't heard from you and Kaisei in forever."

"Heheh, we've been busy!"

Mitsumi eyed Hareta and Rowan both, puzzled. "You know each other?"

"His father is an old friend of mine." Rowan folded his arms. "How did you meet, exactly?"

"Well, as I was saying..."

Mitsumi relayed everything that happened in Route 202, from the meeting with Hareta to the second clash with Onix. Rowan didn't say a word, just nodding along as she continued.

"And that's how things went." Mitsumi took a deep breath as she finished.

"Hmm, I see." Rowan turned to Hareta. "So, you had to use Piplup."

Mitsumi rubbed her arm, looking sideways. "Yeah, we had no choice. I apologize for using it."

"No harm done, I think the children in Twinleaf were asking for a Chimchar and a Turtwig anyway." Rowan fixated on the boy some more. "Hareta, you are fifteen now, correct?"

Hareta rubbed his chin, frowning in thought. "Hmmm, I think so, yeah."

Mitsumi blinked. He was fifteen? She would've pegged him as twelve, maybe eleven. How could he be older than she was?

"You can officially become a Pokémon Trainer then. Would you like that?"

Hareta smiled, throwing his arms up. "Sure! Sounds like fun!"

"In that case, you are officially eligible for a starter Pokémon." A hint of a smile flickered briefly across Rowan's face. "Albeit, that Piplup is not really a beginner-friendly one. Would you rather receive another one?"

Hareta instantly shook his head. "Nah, I want to keep Piplup!"

"Really? Wouldn't you like to raise a less annoying Pokémon?" Mitsumi tilted her head, observing Piplup scowling a few feet away.

Hareta laughed. "We'll become friends eventually."

Piplup gave him a puzzled glance, before turning the other way in embarrassment. Hareta instead approached him, attempting to hug him and receiving a Bubblebeam to the face for his troubles.

As Rowan turned his attention back to her, Mitsumi frowned. "Uhm, why are you being so nice with him? That's rather unlike you, Professor."

"I've known Hareta and Kaisei for a long time, and I trust Hareta to have the same potential as his father." The Professor's stern glare returned. "I have an important task to assign you now."

"What is it?" Mitsumi blinked.

"I'd like if you could accompany Hareta in his journey throughout Sinnoh while exploring the other two great lakes."

Mitsumi tilted her head, watching Hareta goofing off with the Pokémon. "Why?"

Rowan put his hands on his desk, interwining his fingers. "Kaisei is an unrivaled expert in legendary Pokémon. Meeting him could help our research immensely."

"What about our research data on the lakes?"

"For the moment, that can take a backseat. Of course, please gather all the data we need from Lake Verity while you are there."

"I understand." Mitsumi smiled and gave a nod. "I will do it."

Rowan nodded back. "Thank you. I will await for further updates."

The conversation ended, and Rowan's face left the screen. Mitsumi closed the PC and looked upwards, towards the sky. Things had sure taken a weird turn now.

"Looks like we'll travel together for a while," she said as she got closer to Hareta.

"Great!" Hareta pumped his fists. "I'm sure we'll all have fun!"

Mitsumi chuckled, before placing her arms akimbo and looking at the road ahead. "So, where do you plan to go next?"

"I have no idea!" Hareta beamed.

Mitsumi paled, eyes widened. "What?"

"I told you, I have no clue where my dad went." Hareta shrugged.

"You have literally no clue?"

"None." Hareta shook his head.

Mitsumi raised a finger and attempted to voice her complaints. Failing that, she grabbed her forehead and sighed.

"Alright, let's stay calm." She grabbed a Town Map, going through its pages. "First we deliver the other two starters, then we should go to Jubilife City."

"Jubilife?" Hareta peeked at the map.

"It's a city close by, and the most populated of Sinnoh. It's the best place to ask for information."

Hareta observed Mitsumi, nodding. "Alright then! Let's go Jubilife!"

And once again, Hareta and his family rushed ahead without waiting for her, with Piplup reluctantly following. Mitsumi giggled to herself before following, feeling much lighter than she had been in a long time. The trip was looking to be fun, if nothing else.

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As the duo and the wild Pokémon walked out of Verity Lakefront, nobody noticed a green-haired man following their departure. Master Charon had sent him back to recover some devices they had forgotten, but what he stumbled into now seemed far more important.

"Kaisei, huh." The grunt grinned. "I think the Admins will be very interested to learn of this..."