The road beyond Wellspring curled gently through open fields and rolling hills, the grass rippling in waves under the morning wind. Grant walked at the front this time, Sewaddle perched proudly on his shoulder instead of hiding inside his hoodie. Oshawatt trotted beside him, spinning its shell like a baton.
Nyra followed with Tepig and Venipede moving in step at her heels.
It felt different now.
Not just two kids on a journey.
A team.
Grant adjusted his pack. "I think Sewaddle likes the view."
Sewaddle chirped and leaned forward, peering over his shoulder.
Nyra smirked. "Just wait until it sees a Flying-type."
Sewaddle squeaked and wrapped its leaf tighter.
Grant laughed. "We're working on that."
They had chosen a longer route that looped through quiet farmland and wooded trails. Nyra said it was better for training. Grant suspected she just wanted fewer people around to judge their early mistakes.
The path narrowed as it entered a grove of tall birch trees. Sunlight filtered down in broken patches, turning the forest floor into a mosaic of gold and shadow.
Nyra slowed. "This is a good place."
"For what?" Grant asked.
"Battle awareness. Reaction time. Terrain movement."
Grant blinked. "You sound like a Gym Leader."
She shrugged. "Maybe one day."
They set their packs down near a fallen log.
Grant knelt and lifted Sewaddle into his hands. "Okay, buddy. Remember yesterday? You stood your ground."
Sewaddle nodded, eyes bright.
"This time, you lead."
Nyra raised an eyebrow. "You're letting it call the shots?"
Grant smiled. "Confidence training."
He set Sewaddle down.
The tiny Bug-type looked around, then pointed its leaf toward a cluster of tall grass.
"Sew!"
Grant followed. "You want to train there?"
Sewaddle nodded again.
Nyra crossed her arms. "Alright. Surprise drills."
She nodded at Venipede.
Venipede slithered into the grass.
Grant took a breath. "Okay. Sewaddle. Stay alert."
The grass rustled.
Sewaddle tensed.
Venipede burst out.
Sewaddle squeaked and jumped back.
Grant held steady. "Block!"
Sewaddle raised its leaf.
Venipede stopped short.
Nyra smirked. "Not bad."
Grant crouched. "You did it."
Sewaddle peeked over the leaf.
Then lowered it.
Its posture straightened.
Nyra nodded. "Again."
They repeated it.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Each time Sewaddle reacted faster.
Flinched less.
Blocked more cleanly.
By the fifth run, it stood its ground completely.
Venipede lunged.
Sewaddle held firm.
Grant felt pride swell in his chest.
"You're getting stronger."
Sewaddle chirped happily.
Oshawatt clapped.
"Osha-watt!"
Nyra pointed. "Now add movement."
She gestured to Tepig.
"Tepig, slow charge."
Tepig trotted forward.
Sewaddle froze.
Grant stepped closer. "You can do this."
Sewaddle took a step back.
Then another.
Then stopped.
It inhaled.
Raised its leaf.
Tepig slowed and stopped in front of it.
Sewaddle looked up.
Grant smiled. "See?"
Nyra knelt. "Not bad, little bug."
Sewaddle puffed up.
They trained until midday.
Grant's shirt was damp with sweat.
Nyra sat on the log, feeding Venipede berries.
Tepig sprawled in the grass.
Sewaddle curled beside Oshawatt.
Grant wiped his face. "I think we're actually improving."
Nyra nodded. "You're learning how to teach. That's harder than battling."
Grant leaned back. "I never thought about it that way."
She glanced at him. "You've got instincts. You listen to your Pokémon."
He smiled. "So do you."
She shrugged. "I expect a lot from them."
Grant looked at Venipede. "It suits you."
Nyra smirked. "It really does."
They packed up and continued down the trail.
The trees thinned as the land sloped upward toward a ridge. From the top, they could see miles of open plains and distant towns marked by glittering rooftops.
Grant stopped. "Wow."
Nyra stepped beside him. "Unova's big."
"Feels bigger now that we're actually walking through it."
She nodded. "Every Gym badge is another step across it."
Grant glanced at her. "You ever think about losing?"
Nyra hesitated. "Every day."
He blinked. "Really?"
She looked ahead. "That's why I train so hard."
Grant nodded. "Me too."
They shared a quiet moment before heading down the other side.
The next town was smaller than Wellspring, more of a roadside stop with a market square and a few clustered buildings. A wooden sign read:
Aspen Crossing
The smell of baked bread drifted through the air.
Grant's stomach growled.
Nyra smirked. "Supplies?"
"Supplies," he agreed.
They wandered through the market, browsing stalls of Poké Balls, potions, and camping gear. Grant stopped at a berry stand.
The vendor smiled. "Traveling trainers?"
Grant nodded. "First badges ahead."
"Then you'll want these." The woman handed him a bundle of Lum berries. "Good for status problems."
Nyra added Revives to their pack.
They were comparing prices when a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Still pretending to be real trainers?"
Grant turned.
Angelica stood near the fountain, Munna floating beside her. She wore a new coat, crisp and spotless.
Nyra stiffened. "You again."
Angelica looked Grant up and down. "You've improved your bug. Slightly."
Grant felt his jaw tighten. "You following us?"
She scoffed. "Please. We just happen to be on the same road."
Nyra stepped closer. "Then battle us."
Angelica waved her off. "I told you. I don't fight nobodies."
Grant took a breath. "What do you want?"
She tilted her head. "To warn you."
Nyra blinked. "About what?"
Angelica's eyes flicked to the road behind them. "Team Plasma is moving again. They were seen near the next forest."
Grant's chest tightened.
Nyra narrowed her eyes. "Why tell us?"
Angelica shrugged. "If they steal your Pokémon, I won't get the satisfaction of beating you later."
Grant stared at her. "That's… awful."
She smiled. "Thank you."
She turned to leave.
Grant called after her. "We're not weak."
She paused.
Looked back.
Her smile faded just a little.
"We'll see."
Munna drifted after her.
Nyra exhaled slowly. "I can't decide if I hate her or respect her."
Grant shook his head. "I don't trust her."
They finished shopping in silence.
Outside town, the road curved toward another forest.
Grant looked at Sewaddle. "Ready?"
Sewaddle nodded.
Nyra adjusted her gloves. "If Plasma shows up again, we don't rush in."
Grant swallowed. "We still help."
She met his eyes. "Together."
He nodded.
The forest was darker than the last.
Thick canopy.
Long shadows.
Grant felt the weight of memory press against his chest.
Nyra walked closer than usual.
Sewaddle clung to his shoulder.
Oshawatt stayed alert.
They moved carefully.
Then—
A branch snapped.
Grant froze.
Nyra raised a hand.
Footsteps echoed.
Grant's heart pounded.
But it was only a pair of traveling trainers passing through.
They relaxed.
Nyra let out a breath. "Nerves."
Grant nodded. "Same."
They reached a clearing with a stream cutting through it.
Grant knelt to refill his bottle.
Sewaddle leaned forward and stared into the water.
"Sew…?"
A Poliwag swam past.
Sewaddle flinched.
Grant smiled gently. "You're safe."
Sewaddle nodded.
Nyra sat on a rock. "You've changed."
Grant looked up. "Me?"
She nodded. "You don't hesitate anymore."
He thought about that. "I still get scared."
"Good," she said. "So do Champions."
He grinned. "You really think we can get there?"
She smirked. "I plan to."
He stood. "Then I'll see you at the top."
She bumped his shoulder. "Don't fall behind."
They crossed the stream and continued deeper into the forest.
Grant felt something growing inside him.
Not just ambition.
Determination.
For Oshawatt & for Sewaddle.
For the friends walking beside him.
The road ahead was long.
But he was ready to walk it.
And this time, he wouldn't hide.
Neither would Sewaddle.