It took longer then I thought it would for us to leave. Professor Birch spent at least an hour fiddling with Jake's Pokédex so it would collect the data he would need from my new Meditite. I spent that time thinking up a nickname for my new Pokémon since calling a Pokémon by it's species didn't appeal to me, I don't go around calling every person I see a human so why should Pokémon be any different? Figuring out a nickname for him proved to be a difficult task but with help from Jake and Milly, we settled on Champ. He seemed ecstatic to have his own nickname and agreed in the name without hesitation. Milly had also chosen her starter Pokémon, the water type starter of Hoenn, Mudkip who's been named Pie. I wasn't sure why she named him that but he seemed to like it so Pie it was.

I was now sitting outside with my Pokémon since being indoors was boring me. Angel was riding around on Gummie's head as she few her through the sky. Miku was watching Champ with interested, slowly advancing on him but retreating to my side whenever the Meditite looked at her. Gardenia was talking quietly with Champ under a nearby tree, teaching him about the members of my team and how each played their part. Champ looked slightly uneased by my other Pokémon which may be because they'd all been with me so much longer and I guess he didn't yet feel he fit in. Angel was the same when I first got her as the fluffy little Eevee months ago but now she understood that she would always be a valued member of my team, and I'd help make sure Champ knew that to. Samurai was watching everything from a nearby tree, his calm gaze darting between everyone slowly and carefully making sure everyone was alright, like he usually did.

Eventually, Jake and Milly exited the Pokémon Laboratory. Scout was yapping playfully at Milly's heals before catching sight of Miku and bounding over to her. Miku giggled as she climbed onto the Lilliepup's back. ~MIKU KAWAII!!!~ She squealed in joy and Scout ran playful circles around the front yard of the Lab.

I giggled at the kawaii behaviour of the little Manaphy.

Samurai jumped out of the tree he'd been sitting in, silently taking my side as my other Pokémon followed.

"Sorry that took to long Paige, are you ready to go?" Jake said with a smile.

I flashed him my blackboard which I long ago had written my answer to. Of course I'm ready! :)

Jake rolled his eyes, his smile grew.

"Then let's go!" Milly chirped.

~Mudkip!~ Pie chirped in reply.

~Lilliepup pup pup!~ Scout barked, charging forward with Miku in his back.

~Miku kawaii!~

~Reuneclus!~ Gummie followed doing a twirl with Angel atop her head.

~Sylveon.~

Gardenia giggled but didn't say anything, nor did Samurai and Champ who simply walked quietly by my side, well, until I dashed forward and jumped happily in the air while following my Pokémon.

"Umm Paige, it's this way." Jake called from behind me, pointing the opposite direction I was heading with my Pokémon.

I pouted slightly, turning in my heel to follow my friends, my Pokémon at my side. It was the seemingly perfect day to travel, the sun shone brightly at noon point, showing that we'd stop for lunch soon after we started our way down the first route. The sounds off Tailow filled the air, Tailow was like the Pidove of Hoenn. You could find them almost everywhere but unlike Pidove, Tailow were a lot more territorial and aggressive when threatened but these ones sounded friendly, chirping happy songs and cheerful tunes to fill the air. The grass couldn't be greener among most of the town and occasionally a small brown Pokémon scurried past in a zig-zag fashion. Jake soon identified them as Zigzagoon which were fairly common in Hoenn.

My lips were soon tugged out of their pout into a joyful smile. Everything about the outdoors still amazed me, I loved all of it, I had since day one of my escape. It was amazing how much you could see if you just stopped and looked around.

The ringing of Jake's X-transceiver broke through the sounds of nature but in a way, seemed to fit in a way that left the beauty unspoiled.

"Hey Paige, look who's calling." Jake called from behind. I didn't realise how far ahead I'd wandered.

I stopped before running back to Jake, checking the caller ID on the phone like device. Kay

I beamed and hit the answer button as my best friend Makayla's face filled the screen. "Hi Paige." The red head giggled as I waved my hand happily at the screen.

Kay and I had once attended the same orphanage but after Team Plasma kidnapped me, I was no longer registered as an orphan. In fact, as far as anyone was concerned, I'd disappeared off the face of the earth. Rather then going back to the orphanage with Kay at the end of our Unova journey, I'd come to Hoenn with Jake which everyone agreed was safer since Ghetsis now held a grudge against both N and I. Kay called in often and about a month ago, explained how she was now in the process of being adopted but a family who lived in Virbank city. I was happy for her but honestly, a little jealous. I was still technically an orphan but I saw Jake's family as my own in a way. Not to mention my Pokémon and N who would forever and ever be my family.

"Have you started you journey yet?" Kay questioned happily. She looked like she'd just woken up but then, Unova was several hours behind Hoenn in time. I didn't understand why but didn't pay attention to any of Jake's explanations on the topic.

I nodded as Jake moved behind me so he'd be in camera range to. "Hi Kay." He said as Milly wriggled her way into the shot to.

"Hi Jake, hi Milly." Kay replied happily, her Joltik, Ms Zappy Spider, sitting happily on her head. "How is everyone?"

"We're good, you?" Milly inquired as my Pokémon to tried to fit in the view.

Kay smiled. "Awesome."

I stuck my tongue out an pulled a funny face making my bestie laugh. "I have to get ready now. I just wanted to wish you three luck, so good luck and stay safe."

"We will." Milly chirped and I nodded my head.

"And take care of Paige. I swear if I need to come over there and kick butts, heads are going to roll." Her tone was serious yet light.

Jake rolled his eyes. "Of course Kay."

"Bye for now then."

"Bye." Jake and Milly replied while I just waved as the screen flashed to black.

I let out a happy squeal and bounded ahead, jumping in the air while spinning in a circle. This proved to be a bad decision of actions to put together when I fell on my butt. Samurai sighed while helping me to my feet.

~You really must be more careful Paige.~

I gave him a goofy smile. :But that's no fun is it?:

~Eesh.~ Samurai rolled his eyes as I bounded ahead again, twirling around in random circles while the other caught up.

~Are things always this.... Weird?~ Champ asked with confusion.

Gardena let out a giggle.  ~Yeah, pretty much. You'll learn to roll with it.~

~Right...~ Champ looked unsure but didn't say anything more.

I picked him up and sat him on my shoulders. He let out a yelp of surprise and I skipped forward, he soon started smiling and let out a small cry of joy when he got used to the hight and speed.

~~~🌺~~~

Like predicted, it didn't take long for us to stop for lunch. Jake unpacked sandwiches made by his mother while I unpacked berries for the Pokémon.

Milly pulled her Pokéballs off her belt and threw them in the air. "Time for lunch guys. We have new friends to meet."

Serene, Milly's Servine let out a curious yet joyful hiss. She seemed happy to be out again, raising her snout towards the sun as Milly's Delcatty appeared by her side. Moon flicked her tail, letting out a happy purr. Whirlpool the Poliwhirl crossed his arms, letting out a slight growl but didn't say anything else. Scout joined Milly's line of Pokémon with a happy bark and flick of his tail, he caught sight of it and started to playfully chase his tail round in circles, unfortunately for Miku, she was still on his back but seemed to enjoy the ride despite getting dizzy. Pie hid behind Milly shyly, crouching low to the ground.

Milly prompted her new Pokémon to meet her older ones while Jake let out his own team.

Torch, Jake's first Pokémon, crossed his arms and gave us a nod of greeting. The Blazikan, although big was actually quite sweet and polite. King however was much more aggressive, the Crawdaunt had on more then one occasion threatened to snap me with his claws if I got to close, which normally resulted in a fight between him and Samurai. Swift was a Ninjask who was a lot more playful along with Jake's Tropius, Tutie-fruitie and prankster Gangar, Ghoul. I had the slight suspicion that Ghoul liked Gardenia... But then same with Torch. I don't know. Romantic relationships confuse me. (A/N hehe, no shipping yet~!) The last member of Jake's team was Reshiram, who didn't have a nickname but Jake didn't always let her out because she was quite big and... Erm.... Noticeable.

Champ looked slightly unnerved by all the new Pokémon, hiding behind me like shield. I bent down to his hight and rested my hand on his head. :It's okay. They're friendly, except King. He's grumpy like all the time:

Champ shook his head, standing straight. He walked to the small pile of berries, picking up an Oran berry before sitting under a tree a little ways off from where the rest of us were sitting. He crossed his legs and started eating the berry in small nibbles while the rest of the Pokémon helped themselves to the berries. I found it odd how Champ only wanted one but then, Jake's Pokédex did say that Meditite only eat one berry a day. I don't know how a Pokémon could live like that, only eating one berry a day, I would die.

Jake handed out the sandwiches and the three of us sat in a triangle-ish shape while watching over our Pokémon. They were all in a group, talking in Pokétalk amongst themselves, occasionally laughing and whatnot. Champ was still on his own, he'd eaten his berry and was now sitting cross legged under the tree. He was levitating off the ground with his eyes closed and hands on his knees. None of the other Pokémon paid any attention to him apart from the occasional glance.

Unlike Champ, Pie was now comfortable with the group, bouncing around while throwing berries in the air before he gobbled them down. The little Mudkip seemed much happier now then before and by the time we'd finished out lunch, had already taken Scout's job of letting Miku ride him. Scout was less then pleased by this and was pouting nearby.

Jake stood up, looking at the towards the sun. "We should head off now if we want to get to the next town by sun down, I don't know about you two but I'd prefer not to spend the first night traveling camping."

Milly nodded, pocketing her rubbish. "Yeah, you ready Paige?"

I nodded, jumping to my feet while calling over my Pokémon. Jake and Milly did the same, recalling their Pokémon to their Pokèballs apart from Swift and Pie. Before turning to leave calling me over as they did. I went off a role call in my head making sure all six of my Pokémon were here and ready to go.

Samurai?- Check

Gardenia?- Check

Gummie?- Check

Angel?- Check

Miku?- Double check

Champ?- No check.

I looked over to the tree in was still sitting under and called to him only to be ignored. I huffed in annoyance and walked over to him, calls his name again but was still ignored. I lightly poked his shoulder calling his name again. He opened his eyes and looked at me in annoyance.

~What?~ He growled.

:We're going now, and you don't need to be so rude: I answered.

Champ snorted and lowered his legs from his levitating spot, walking to my group of Pokémon without another word. I skipped over to Jake and Milly, grabbing onto Samurai's hand and dragged him after me. :Let's go!: I cheered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Word count: 2144

Another chapter done! Yay! I have an exam tomorrow so I'm trying to write as much as I can before then XP