l placed my hand over my forehead, shielding my eyes from the harsh summer sunlight as I stepped out of the northern gate leading from Jubilife City to Route 202. Route 202 was among the shortest paths in all of Sinnoh, stretching only to Sandgem Town, but I wasn't going to underestimate it—plenty of trainers from the Circuit took it for early grinding and team-building. I knelt down and retied my laces as tight as I could before unclipping Togepi's Poké Ball from my belt. A soft red light released her, and she blinked up at me before chirping curiously at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Come on, Grace," I told myself, slapping my cheeks lightly. "You can do this. You're a tough girl."
I stepped onto the dirt path, which I knew would eventually be overtaken by encroaching vegetation the deeper I went. Despite its size, Route 202 was deceptively varied light woods, tall grass patches, shallow streams. Trainers lined the road even now: some were battling, others lounging in the shade with their Pokémon. I guessed the density would thin the farther south I walked. Togepi tugged at my jeans and chirped sadly.
"Sorry, princess. You've got to walk for now. We're building your endurance."
"Toge…"
Her melancholy face nearly broke me, but I stood firm. She'd never grow if I always carried her. The hours passed uneventfully, which in itself was surprising. I hadn't been attacked by a wild Pokémon yet, though I saw a few.Bidoof drinking from the stream, Starly pecking at scattered berries, and even a Budew sunbathing. I wasn't expecting this to feel like scaling Mt. Coronet, but I couldn't help being slightly disappointed.
Was there something wrong with me?
Eventually, the dirt trail narrowed and greenery began dominating the route. Route 202 wasn't quite a forest, not like Eterna or Viridian, but it wasn't flatland either. It sat somewhere between grassy underbrush with clumped trees and uneven terrain. I slid down beside the base of a pine, letting the shade cool my shoulders. I realized with a groan that I was more tired than Togepi. Getting into proper shape would take longer than I thought.
Into shape for what? I asked myself. It's not like I'm joining the League Circuit or anything!
"Whew. That was a workout, huh?" I asked Togepi.
"Prrri!" she replied cheerfully.
"Want some water? I've got—"
"Yo. You want to battle?" came a voice from the left.
My head snapped toward the sound. A boy my age maybe a year older was standing at the edge of the trail. His Poké Ball belt was worn and scratched. At his feet stood a Shinx, tail twitching in anticipation.
"Ah Uh I mean "
"Arceus, why're you so jumpy? We're all out here to learn, right? We battle, we both improve. So what do you say?" he asked, voice relaxed but assured.
"Um, yeah!" I squeaked. "My name's Grace, by the way. Haha," I added awkwardly.
"I'm Patrick. One-on-one?"
"Sounds good. I only have one Pokémon anyway," I said.
We stepped away from the main trail, finding a flat enough clearing to fight. Patrick walked about fifty feet off. His Shinx arched its back and let out a high-pitched yowl more cub than predator, but it was trying its best.
"Alright Togepi, remember what we practiced," I muttered, crouching to her level. She chirped in response. My legs were trembling, my palms clammy, but I took several slow, deep breaths.
"I'll toss a rock. When it lands, we start!" Patrick called.
He flung a pebble into the air. It felt like time slowed as it arced downward. My mind flooded with worst-case scenarios: Togepi getting hurt, me embarrassing myself, ruining everything.
"Shinx, Tackle, then follow with Bite!" Patrick shouted.
Shinx darted forward, too quick for Togepi to dodge. I had to act fast.
"Togepi, wait… wait… Growl!" I shouted.
Togepi let out a fierce cry louder than ever before and the sound struck Shinx, who visibly flinched. Its momentum faltered, but it still reached her and latched onto her shell with its teeth. Luckily, most of the damage was blunted.
"Sweet Kiss, now! Make it back off!" I called.
Togepi's lips puckered, and a floating heart burst from her mouth. It struck Shinx squarely between the eyes, and suddenly it looked dazed, ears twitching wildly as it spun in a confused circle.
"Shinx! Snap out of it focus on my voice!" Patrick called.
Not a chance, I thought.
"Pound, Togepi!"
Togepi's stubby arm shimmered white as she smacked Shinx in the nose. The Electric-type let out a cry and reeled back, blinking rapidly.
"Shinx, Charged Tackle!"
Electric sparks danced across Shinx's fur as it began to charge power.
"Don't let it finish that attack! Togepi, use Rollout!"
Patrick's eyes widened. "Shinx! Abort the charge—dodge it!"
But Togepi was already mid-spin. Her body curled tight, her shell glowing faintly as she barreled into Shinx's hind legs. The cub went flying backward.
"Again! Keep using Rollout!"
Togepi didn't hesitate she struck again, this time catching Shinx mid-recovery. The second hit sent it skidding into the dirt in front of Patrick, who silently returned it to its Poké Ball.
"I forfeit," he muttered, clicking his tongue. "Damn it."
"What? Why? The battle wasn't over," I said, confused.
He approached me, reaching into his worn backpack. I flinched instinctively, but instead of drawing anything threatening, he placed a few hundred Pokédollars in my hand.creased bills, slightly damp with sweat.
"I don't want Shinx to be too beat up and have to haul it all the way back to the Pokémon Center in Jubilife," Patrick said. "After you hit me with Sweet Kiss, I figured things were going downhill. You outplayed me. Good battle." He held out his hand toward me.
I shook it, still frozen in place like I'd been hit with Astonish. I had... won? My first real Pokémon battle?
"Good luck. Maybe I'll see you again on the Circuit, Grace," Patrick said before turning away down the path, Shinx's Poké Ball clipped quietly to his belt.
I could only manage a nod, heart still thudding in my chest. The moment he vanished past the trees, I grabbed Togepi in a hug, lifting her gently into the air. That had been the most thrilling moment I'd experienced in years. The pulse, the stress, the clash of wills the feeling of victory.
"The training bug," my dad's voice echoed in my head.
I was going to need more battles. There had to be more trainers headed toward Sandgem!
——
"Bidoof, shake it off! Use Headbutt!" the girl across from me barked, her hands clenched tightly.
"Togepi, use Rollout again! Keep going if he's still up!"
Togepi chirped, obeying without hesitation. She tucked herself into a tight ball and barreled forward, her movement smoother now after three battles' worth of momentum. She slammed straight into Bidoof's round head and again as it tumbled awkwardly down the slope. The wild-eyed Normal-type slumped over with a dazed groan.
"Ugh, using Sweet Kiss is such a cheap trick!" the girl snapped. "How are you even supposed to counter that?!"
I didn't answer. Not out of rudeness, but because I genuinely didn't know. I stood still, basking in the residual heat of the win. She handed me a crumpled hundred Pokédollars and left, cradling her fainted Bidoof.
I crouched down, calling softly for Togepi. She limped back toward me, her gait uneven. My heart sank, and I immediately fumbled through my bag for a Potion. Her third win, counting Patrick's Shinx and a prior Kricketot, had cost her. She'd taken multiple hits—Tackle, Bite, even a surprise Growl that startled her mid-Rollout.
"I'm sorry, princess," I whispered, misting her leg with the Potion's cold spray. "No more battling for now. I got too into it."
Seeing her limp just for a second made me want to scoop her up and sprint back to Jubilife. But my dad's words rang in my mind again: Don't act on instinct. Observe, think, then move. She was healing quickly, but I couldn't afford to burn through my supplies recklessly. Sandgem was still hours away, and I had maybe two more Potions.
I lifted her into my arms, letting her rest while I carried her down the narrowing path. Eventually, the road itself ended. The dusty track became scattered with stones and knotted roots. I tapped open my Pokétch and brought up the map app I had downloaded from the Jubilife Tech Center yesterday. There were two ways to proceed: I could circle around the woods to the left safer, slower or cut straight through.
The woods were the faster route… but I hesitated.
If I stepped on a sleeping Wurmple and drew the wrath of its kin, I'd be in trouble. Dustox were aggressive parents, especially around dusk, while Beautifly were more passive until mating season but either way, I didn't want to risk poison. Antidotes only worked on Pokémon. Human physiology reacted differently.
I took the detour, circling the woods' edge despite the extra time. It was boring but safe until I dropped down a shallow ledge and saw a Scyther and a Dustox in a vicious skirmish near the trees.
I froze.
A Scyther? Here?
They were top-tier Bug-types: fast, violent, territorial. My head spun, searching for cover. If either noticed me, Dustox might flee with the opportunity but Scyther wouldn't. Its aggression would turn straight to me. I looked down. Togepi was staring, wide-eyed, mimicking my fear.
My throat tightened. If I interrupted the hunt and Dustox escaped, I'd become the new target. And there was no way I was risking Togepi. I couldn't climb back up the ledge with her, and recalling her into her Ball might draw attention with the light and sound. I had no choice.
I stepped silently into the woods.
——
Walking through unkempt woods wasn't romantic or cinematic like people made it seem in magazines or Trainer travel shows. It was pure, miserable reality.
Or maybe they did warn you and I just hadn't listened.
The terrain was uneven, gnarled with dead branches, slippery leaves, and tangled vines. I'd already fallen three times. After the first, I recalled Togepi to avoid risking her safety. It didn't help much. A sharp stick tore open the skin on my forearm during my second fall. It wasn't deep barely bleeding.but it stung. And the worst part? No sign of Scyther… but also no sign of civilization.
The sun was already drooping past the treetops. Dusk. And no safe exit in sight.
"Damn it. Should've skipped the trainer battles and gotten through this earlier," I muttered under my breath. "Need to find some sort of clearing."
By the time the sunlight vanished completely, the woods had become shadowy and disorienting. I only had the light from my Pokétch screen. It could be charged via solar input, but with no sunlight now, I was on a ticking clock.
HISSSS.
The underbrush shifted violently. I whipped my light toward the sound, too slow an Ekans lunged at me. I screamed and fell backward as it sank its fangs into my arm. The pain burned.
Fumbling, I popped open Togepi's Ball. A white flash burst forth as she chirped in fury and smacked Ekans with Pound.
I scooted back on the ground and grabbed my field axe. A simple camping tool but right now, it was a lifeline. My hands trembled. Everything was too loud: the wind, the branches, my breathing. Silence fell for a few seconds.
Then the Ekans struck again.
I swung blindly, eyes shut. The blade clipped something. A hiss of pain followed, and the snake retreated into the brush.
"Shit!" I hissed, glancing at my arm. I scrambled around in the leaves and finally found my Pokétch, now caked with mud. Its light flickered, but it worked. I examined the bite two shallow punctures. No bruising, no swelling. Maybe it hadn't injected venom.
I leaned back against a tree, exhaling hard. That earlier thrill was long gone.
"Toge…" came a soft voice. I looked down—Togepi, barely visible above the knee-high foliage, touched my jeans.
"I'm okay," I lied. "We just have to find a place to sleep." I returned her gently and wiped my bloodied palms on the back of my pants.
I hate woods, I hate woods, I hate woods, I repeated silently.
Thirty exhausting minutes later, I stumbled into a tiny clearing—really just a patch flat enough to lie down. The ground was muddy, but I didn't care anymore. I unrolled my sleeping bag, muttering curses at every unyielding root.
At least it was still summer. I didn't need a fire—Sinnoh winters were infamous, but this wasn't one of them.
I curled up, ears on high alert, trying to rest. But every cry from a Hoothoot or rustle of a Kricketune jolted me awake again.
Tomorrow was going to suck.