"So...it was that bad huh?" Arashi inquired after having listened to Holly and Hugh explain the incident that happened two years ago.

"Pretty much. It was said that a group of brave trainers put a stop to them. But...as we have just witnessed, they are back," Holly sighed.

Hugh's fists tightened.

"My sister lost something precious to her thanks to them. It was a Purrloin..."

Arashi blinked in surprise.

"Sorry...I didn't know-"

"It's fine Arashi. No worries. Just seeing one reminds me of my goal," Hugh stated firmly.

"And that is?" Arashi asked.

"To wipe them out..."

Hugh remained silent for a moment or two before looking back at Holly and Arashi.

"I want you two to help me," Hugh said finally.

"Huh?" Holly said with a blank stare.

"You heard me. I know we are only starting out, but if we train hard enough-"

"Hold your Rapidashes Hugh. You want me, a beginner, and Arashi, to take on an elite criminal syndicate that was bent on 'liberating' Pokémon two years ago? Not to mention their near success I might add," Holly replied.

"They were stopped," Hugh replied.

"By some powerful trainers and the gym leaders!" Holly retorted.

"But they also started out just like we are now. Beginners," Hugh quipped.

Arashi raised a brow at the conversation. Mainly at the gym leader remark. Did that mean that Elesa was also involved? And Holly had said gym leaders. Meaning all of them. What awaited him was far more than he could ever have imagined. That meant that the first leader he would encounter was one who helped take down Team Plasma.

It was a lot to process for Arashi. He and his family already had to deal with Team Rocket before they were sent packing. It appeared as though every region had its own criminal organization. And his new, bickering companions were debating on getting into the thick of it. Hugh relayed his story about his sister's Purrloin, but Arashi had a feeling that there was a whole lot more he wasn't being told. With a sigh, Arashi cleared his throat, stopping the argument.

"Look," he began, "I don't know much about this Team Plasma. All I can gather is that they are a misguided narrow-minded idiots who think what they are doing is for the good of all Pokémon. They're Team Rocket knockoffs. And the fact that they steal Pokémon and use them for their own selfish gain doesn't sit right with me," Arashi finished.

"So you're willing to jump headlong into a battle in which you know nothing of what you are up against aside from what we've told you?" Holly asked with a baffled expression.

A nod.

"Wow. As stupid as that is to me," Holly began, "I guess it can't be helped."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What it means Hugh, is that I'm also going to help you on your ridiculous conquest."

"I thought you were against it," Hugh murmered.

"I was and still am. But Arashi is right. I can't just sit around and wait for someone else to do the job. All my life I have been too chicken to take chances. I took a chance starting into this dangerous world and by Arceus I am not going to stop," Holly stated firmly.

"Well then," said Hugh, "I believe there is only one thing left to do," He stated, placing his right hand out. Getting the message, Arashi and Holly plaved theirs in as well.

"You do realize we could die, right?" Holly asked.

"I know. But if we stick together and train hard, we can do this. We have a tough road ahead of us, but we can do it. And our first step, is to train with Alder. If anyone knows what Team Plasma is like and how to take them down, it's him," Hugh concluded.

"Right. So. Holly, Hugh. Let this be our pact, that we will stick together and never leave each other behind. We will fight and so will our partners," Arashi voiced.

Both Hugh and Holly nodded and the pact was sealed. The group turned towards the ranch, their stomachs growling in unison. Holly flushed from embarrassment.

"We should get going then," said Hugh.

"Yeah...I'm super hungry," Holly added.

"Sounded like a Beartic in there," Hugh laughed.

"Shut up!" Holly fumed, her face flushing.

"A what?" Arashi inquired.

"Just an Ice-type in this region," Hugh explained.

"Ah. I see. That makes sense," Arashi chuckled.

Holly huffed.

Men, she thought, so rude.

As the group neared the ranch exit, the Herdier they had rescued came bounding out after them, barking happily before skidding to a halt in front of them, playfully wagging his tail.

"Hey you three!" Shouted Clyde.

The trio turned around to see Clyde and Marie with three bags with them. They caught up to the group and stopped.

"We wanted to thank you three for finding our Herdier. His mate would have been so lonely. So as a token of our gratitude, we made you some sandwiches for the road," Marie smiled.

"Thanks, but you really didn't have to," Hugh replied.

"Oh, but we insist!" Clyde interjected. "We are grateful for your help. So just take these as a thank you, and here are some potions for your Pokémon too. We thought you could use'em. Good luck on your journey," Clyde grinned.

The trio smiled and took the bags happily, and with a wave they bid the couple farewell.

"What a nice group of youngsters," Marie commented.

"They sure are honey," Clyde replied.
============================

Arashi and company decided to take a break from walking and eat. They were practically famished.

Holly was the first to dig into her sandwich, taking a rather large bite and then another, savoring the taste.

"That sandwich isn't going anywhere you know," Hugh said as he swallowed.

Holly glared and swallowed. "I'm know that, I'm just hungry," she snapped back.

"No need to get so edgy," Hugh muttered.

Arashi rolled his eyes at the two. Had he not known they weren't related, he would have bet money that they were siblings. As they ate and chatted, they began discussing their tactics for taking on the gym leader.

"According to what my mom knows, the leader uses Normal-types," Hugh began.

"Normal-types huh? That leaves only one weakness. Despite being very basic, they are usually one of the tougher opponents," Holly mused.

"A Normal-type leader huh?" Arashi began. "Back in Johto we didn't have one. Should be interesting," Arashi replied as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

A thought soon occurred to Arashi, which made him pause mid bite.

"I was just thinking. When I witnessed a gym battle in Nimbasa City, Elesa used three Pokémon, but she had four. And we only have two each," Arashi informed.

"I see where you're going with this," Holly started. "You think we should catch at least one more Pokémon before the gym battle, right?"

"Exactly. And this place has quite a few," Arashi responded.

"I'm with you on that one Arashi. The more we add to our team, the better. I say we go looking after we eat. Maybe split up and meet in an hour?" Hugh suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Holly said casually, taking another bite of her sandwich.

"That settles it then, in an hour we will meet back here," Hugh stated as he finished up his sandwich.

Soon, the trio were up and moving, in search of a new friend to add to their team.
============================

Arashi found himself wandering back towards the ranch. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that he would find something there. As he walked, a faint buzzing sound could be heard, causing him to stop and look around.

That's odd, he thought as he glanced around. It sounds like there's something really close...but what?

The buzzing suddenly got louder and closer. Instinctively, Arashi reached for Purrloin's ball.
============================

Holly had decided to scout the area she and the others had eaten at. Her team was treated with the potions and ready when needed.

Now, what other kind of Pokémon do I want? I have a nice Mareep and my Tepig. But wh- Her thoughts were cut short as she heard a soft bouncing sound, followed by a happy noise.

Holly watched with widened eyes as a small, blue, mouse-like Pokémon with rounded ears with pink insides and a ball at the end of its zigzagging tail, hopped into her range.

Too cute. Must. Resist. Urge.
============================

Hugh was also stalking the ranch grounds, searching for anything that might prove a great asset to his team.

Let's see. There's a good amount of Mareep. Purrloin are abundant and Patrat too. Any of them would be great, thought Hugh as he stood in the gateway to the ranch.

As he observed the area, he heard a rustle of leaves and whirled around. What he saw was a small, red, monkey-like Pokémon with cream coloring on its arms and part of its face.

Well, well...today must be my lucky day, thought Hugh as he readied Oshawott's ball.
============================

The hour soon passed and the trio met up at the agreed rendezvous point.

"Any luck?" Holly asked as she stood up from the ground, holding her blue bundle of cuteness in her arms.

"Yep. And I can see you had a great deal of it too. An Azurill huh? Good catch," Hugh replied.

"Thank you. Now, what did you catch, hmm?" Holly quizzed.

"Here he is," Hugh stated, releasing the monkey from his ball.

"Oh! I've seen those. That's a Pansear. Cute!" Holly gushed.

"He put up a good fight, but I got him in the end," Hugh added.

The two turned to Arashi, as if to ask what he'd caught. He smiled faintly before releasing his new friend.

Before the group hovered a large, red, dragonfly-like Pokémon. It had two pairs of wings with red bands on each. Two spikes poked out of its head and a green mask covered most of its face. Sapphire orbs gazed around at the group as it rapidly flapped his wings to stay aloft.

"What the-? A Yanma? Dude...those aren't usually seen around here. Like...at all. You must have some crazy luck," Hugh chuckled.

"Indeed. Yanma, from what I hear, are skilled fliers. Not to mention very fast," Holly said cheerfully.

"That's what the Pokédex said. Boy was he hard to catch. Thankfully I was able to wear it down," Arashi said with a laugh.

"Well. Now that we have our new teammates, what do you say we head back to Alder?" Hugh suggested.

"Sounds good to me. This way we can get some training in before we face our first gym leader," Holly chimed.

With a nod, the trio returned their new companions and began to make their way back towards Floccesy Town.