The next morning saw me waking up later than usual, which confused me for a moment. While I like to sleep in and wake up late, I usually have to get up early to help at the lab. After a moment it clicks and I remember that today is the start of my journey. Yawning I try to sit up, trying be the key here.

“Ugh, Absol we need to get up. Today is the start of our journey.” I say while nudging her. She never ceased to claim a spot on the bed and I doubt that will change anytime soon. The floor is too plebeian for her after all.

“Absol…” came a grumbled reply.

“Yeah, come on. We need to have breakfast and get on the road.” I try again. Cue more grumbling.

“Didn’t you agree to show the public the power of dark types? What happened to that?” I chuckle as that got her attention and she finally let me sit up. After my morning shower and donning my outfit I let her and Poochyena, who slept on the floor into the kitchen. Both looking at me with expectations.

“Yeah, yeah you will get your food first. Gluttons, the whole lot..” I grumble.

“Absol!” came the protest.

“Don’t try to deny it girl. You know it’s true.” Aaaand more grumbling. When I set out their food I could finally get started on my own breakfast. A hearty breakfast later I check over my backpack one last time.

“Hm, we need to restock in Oldale. The one drawback of Littleroot I guess.” I muse. “Come along, let’s say goodbye to the guys at the lab and the Mightyena.” I say as I led them outside.

A short walk later had us entering the lab. “Good morning.” I call into the room.

“Ahh, Iruni finally up? Ash and May already left for Oldale, if you hurry you can still catch up to them I think.” came the reply and small reprimand from Birch.

“Nah, I’m fine. I wanted to travel alone for a while anyway.” ‘No way I travel with him and get sucked into his trouble…’ I add internally.

“So do you have everything ready son?” said my dad as he came in with a mug of coffee in hand.

“Of course. I will have to restock in Oldale though, Littleroot is a bit limited on trainer items after all.” I said chuckling.

“True that.” he replied and claps me on the shoulder. “I never thought I would be able to send you of on your own journey. And I really never imagined that you would be training dark types. I’m working on something to help you but sadly it’s not ready yet. But I can at least give you this.” he said emotionally and hands me a small bag.

“You really didn’t need to get me anything dad.” I reply and look into the bag. I saw a few Nestballs and Quickballs. “Thank you for the special balls, they will come in handy.” I say while embracing him. He may not be my real dad, but he did grow on me.

After that emotional moment Birch clears his throat and hands me the iconic red device. “Here your PokeDex. Remember to scan your Pokemon in regular intervals, it will help me out in our research on dark types.”

“Thank you Professor. I will need to say goodbye to the Mightyena.” I thank him and take my leave before we get emotional again. Once outside I call out to the Mightyena.

“Mightyena! We will leave today! Come over if you want to say your goodbyes!” I shout. I small wait later the whole pack, at least those that aren’t on patrol, came over. They and my Pokemon had their own emotional goodbye. Turning to the alpha I spoke.

“I promise you won’t recognize us next time we drop by. We will grow strong and Poochyena will make you proud.” She slowly nods. After the goodbyes we finally left the lab and ranch.

“So this is it guys. Our journey begins, remember to stay close. While there are no real threats between here and Oldale, we should still use it as practise for later routes.” I explain, especially looking at the ball of energy that is Poochyena. Both nod and we set out into the world.

Route 101 was nothing special, a dirt road with calve high grass to the sides. A forest lining it on both sides, that’s where new trainers shouldn’t go because stronger Pokemon appear the further in you travel. Since we want to get to Oldale in a somewhat timely manner, forest exploration is something for the future.

Not even half an hour in I had to recall Poochyena into his ball, he really is to excitable for his own good. Always running here and there when something new grabs his attention. Absol actually snorts.

“Hey cut him some slack. He is young after all.” I chuckle. As the day passed I munched on some ration bars and Absol got a few pieces of meat, the real meal would be in the evening.

The travel along the route was not really eventful, it’s a route that has no habitat of strong Pokemon nearby. Absol had to ward of a few Zigzagoon that were to interested in us, but that was it. As the afternoon arrived it started to look out for a place to camp.

“Absol, please keep an eye out for a good camping spot.” I comment while looking around. It didn’t take long to find one, after dropping my backpack I released Poochyena.

“Could you two take a look around while I set up the campsite? Oh and Poochyena stay close please.” I said while rummaging in my backpack. I really don’t know how they managed to make backpacks with more space inside than should be possible, but I won’t complain. The same could be said for the self assembling tent, Devon really has some nice stuff. After setting out food for my two Pokemon I called out to them to come eat. I just ate another ration bar as I would get fresh supplies in the next town.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Ok you two, now that we are on the road we need to reaffirm some things.” I said to them when they were finished. Both looked up and paid attention.

“You need to remember the difference between a hunt and a battle. I will call out when we are not in a normal Pokemon battle. We will get in some hot water otherwise.” Two nods follow.

“Good. Now we will of course continue our normal hunts, though remember that we can’t do that everywhere. For example we can’t do that in a town obviously.” Both looked a bit miffed by this but nodded. Yeah, that’s a thing with dark and probably dragon types now that I think about it.

“Tomorrow we will stay in Oldale and I will see if we can get some battles in. Otherwise we will look for wild Pokemon on our way to Petalburg.” Now they nod with more motivation.

“Now the first gym will be a rock type gym. Both of you don’t have the best match up against it. Sure you can deal normal damage with Faint Attack and Bite but I doubt that will be enough. That’s why we will try to get you both a new move.” both now look really motivated.

“Wow, dial it back a bit. I don’t think you will have an easy time with the move, it’s called Iron Tail. That move is outside of your normal learning set. I know of a way with that you can probably learn it, but it won’t be easy.” I explain.

“We will weight down your tail with a stone so that you can strengthen your muscle there. The problem will be to get the type energy down, as steel is unfamiliar to you. We will start tomorrow and you two will continue the trek to Oldale with the stone ok?”

“Absol. Ab.” “Pooch.” both nod, although Absol looked a bit aggrieved when I mentioned the tying the stone to her tail. “You will both get a brush up in Oldale when I got the supplies ok?” I chuckle. Absol looked mollified by that.

“Good, now I will turn in for the night. Absol you will have the first guard, followed by Poochyena. And Poochyena don’t run off, we depend on you to be alert alright?” he looks like he would salute me if would be able to.

The next morning dawned and I awoke to the alarm on my PokeNav, while I like to sleep in I do want to make good time. Getting up I saw that Absol was on guard again. “Everything alright girl?” A nod came back. Setting food out for them awoke Poochyena. I munched on a ration bar while packing up my tent. When everything was cleaned up I tied two stones to their tails.

“Tell me if you are exhausted alright? No need to try to hard at the start.” Absol looked almost insulted, as if such a suggestion would be beneath her. Poochyena looked a bit relieved.

“Alright move out.” I said chuckling and set out towards Oldale. We did make good time while my Pokemon worked with their stones, I relieved them from their load before we walked into the town, no need to give others ideas after all.

“Alright, let’s check in at the Pokemon Center. While you get checked over I will get supplies and after that we can look for a battle. I will keep you in your balls for that, a bit of a surprise factor never hurts.” I explain to them while we walk towards the Pokemon Center.

Entering I walked to the counter. “Hello nurse Joy. Would you please look over my Pokemon?” I inquire to the nurse that was working on her computer. She looks up upon hearing my voice.

“My, my you sure have grown Iruni. Of course I will look them over, I wager one of them is Absol?” she asks while presenting me with a tablet with indents for Pokeballs.

“Yes my Absol and my Poochyena.” I nod and hand over my Pokemon. “I will get supplies in the meantime, so no hurry.” I add.

“Just come over when you are done. I can tell you how long it will be then.”

“Alright see you in a bit.” I answer and leave the building.

In the mart I was able to get everything I need quickly. More food for my Pokemon and me, grooming supplies for both and some other supplies. While money isn’t tight I can’t really splurge on unnecessary stuff, though treats are deemed necessary.

When I came to the Pokemon Center, nurse Joy handed me my Pokemon with out any wait. “Both are in top condition, I did notice a nice amount of muscle on your Absol. Did you trained her for a long time?” She asks a bit suspicious, since I couldn’t train her while she matured.

“No, I only trained her for three months and mostly on conditioning. We just began move training.” I answer.

“Alright, please continue to get regular check ups on her.” She end that topic with that.

“Thanks, I will do that. Are there any beginner trainers out in the back?” I inquire.

“There should be a few, are you registered with the league by the way?”

“Ehm, could you please check?” I said somewhat awkwardly and handed over my Pokedex. I mean Birch should have done that right? Right?

“You need to register at a Pokemon Center, the Professor can’t do that at his lab.” nurse Joy explains while tapping on her computer. ‘He should have said that’ I muse.

Ding!

“Alright that’s everything, now have fun.” nurse Joy smiled at me.

“I will thanks.”

Out in the back of the Center there where three dirt battlefields, nothing fancy. Two where already in use, but one of them had only a boy standing in one of the trainer boxes. He looked like one of those ‘youngster’ guys from the game. Walking over I call out to him.

“You waiting for someone or do you want a battle?”

“Oh, you want to take me on? Alright you are on, though no money bet. I’m not old enough for now.” He answers.

“Fine with me.”

As we stand on the opposing sites I admit I was a bit nervous, I mean he could whip out anything. A girl stepped into the ref box. “You two alright with me as ref?” We both nod.

“Alright, then this will be a one on one. Pokemon out on three! One! Two! Three!”

I throw my Pokeball and my Poochyena took the field on the other side I saw a Zigzagoon being send out. ‘Hm, now that’s a classic match up.’

“Poochyena! Taunt into Howl!”

“Zigzagoon! Tackle!”

Poochyena showed that he trained with his mother and let out some sound that enraged the Zigzagoon, that charged across the battlefield.

“Abort the Howl! Dodge into Bite!” No way that he can get the howl through till that Zigzagoon was upon him.

Poochyena did manage to evade the Zigzagoon and landed the Bite attack on it’s tail.

“Sand Attack Zigzagoon!”

“Throw it to the side and use Howl!”

The Zigzagoon did not use Sand Attack, which left the youngster confused and was thrown across the field. A howl was heard, though not really menacing it’s only a Poochyena after all. My boy did pump himself up though.

“Bite Poochyena!”

“What’s wrong Zigzagoon? Urgh, use Tackle!”

That Zigzagoon must be living in town with the boy for some time. The wild ones know Poochyena after all, the angle on the attack was off and Poochyena managed to bite the scruff on the neck.

“Push it down! Don’t let up!”

“Zigzagoon use Sand Attack! You need to get it off from you!”

Yeah, that won’t work boy. It was quickly over after that and the youngster stalked off into the Center. Probably to heal his Pokemon, Poochyena jumped into my arms.

“Good battle boy, you will get a treat in our room.” He yipped happily and I let him down. I decided that one battle was enough as I saw no one with something other than Zigzagoon or the one Poochyena that one guy had. Absol had enough experience with them already.

In our room I let both out and handed them a treat. Absol gave me a look after Poochyena probably regaled her with the tale of his victory.

“Sorry girl, there was nothing that would have been able to put up a fight against you.” I apologize. She only forgave me when I started brushing her fur.

I did turn in quickly after that, I want to get to Rustboro quickly as there is a gym waiting for me. And two potential team members on the way.