Travis' POV
Aphmau and I started walking down the path, which had cleared up a bit over night, where they had the option of turning left or right again, from what Aphmau told me last time about how turning right just lead to a small lake where the professor was we decided to head left, where the path was a little messy and had some tall grass in the way, but was still easy enough to find our way around, as we slowly waded across the tall grass Aphmau asks, "So why go on a journey?" I hesitate and stop for a second before deciding not to tell her the truth yet saying, "Wanted to get out of the house, seek adventure." Aphmau nods, "I had the same idea, I swear if I have to hear another Beyoncé album I'm gonna lose it..." she says in an annoyed tone as I chuckle at the idea, "Arceus almighty, I can't help but agree with you..." I say as we finally reach the end of the patch of tall grass

Aphmau's POV
I stretch my arms and rub my nose as we walk down the now clear path to see a man with a bandana sitting next to a tree, as we try to go and pass by him but when we reach his line of sight he calls out, "Hey!" Before getting up and dusting off his pants, "Ain't you heard the rules? When two trainers see each other eyes they gotta battle..." He then summons a Geodude before saying, "Who's gonna battle me?" I look at Travis and he says, "You saved the Professor, I can take this one, so watch and learn how the big bad Travis gets it done..." he says with a cocky tone in his voice as he summons his Poplio.

Travis' POV
The man with the bandana chuckles, "If you wanna fight then both of you fight me..." Aphmau and I exchange looks in a bit of confusion, it would be three to one, "Are you sure?" Aphmau asks summoning Rowlet with the stranger nodding and pulling what looked like a soda out of his bag and chugged it down before slapping himself as if to wake himself up, and saying with a more alert attitude ""Let the battle begin!" With that being said I immediately shout to Poplio, "Poplio! Use Water Gun!" And Aphmau says "Rowlet, use Leafage!" With both hits directly hitting Geodude, but when the dust subsides Geodude is still up and the stranger laughs, "Use Rock Smash!" With that Geodude's hands glow orange and sends both Poplio and Rowlet flying into a nearby tree, Aphmau and I run over to check if they were fine as they both get up, but very hurt each of them nodding tho their respective trainer, with that Aphmau and I nod to each other and turn to a yawning stranger who says, "Piece of advice do NOT try using soda to wake up from a nap, it doesn't work..." he says stretching as we look at him confused, he wasn't taking this seriously at all, I let out an annoyed sigh before nodding to Aphmau again as we shout for our Pokemon to attack Geodude with all they've got, as they charge up their moves Geodude sits there just as unamused as they attack, making Geodude faint. With that me and Aphmau cheer in amazement that they had won their first battle, with the stranger returning Geoude to his Pokéball and chuckling, "Alright! I guess I lost, good job! Hope to see you around..." he says putting his hands in his pockets and walking off whistling.

3rd Person POV
Aphmau and Travis look in awe as the stranger just walks off, "What a weird guy..." Travis says with Aphmau nodding in agreement, "Let's just keep going, I'm pretty sure there's a town nearby before we get to Starlight City..." Aphmau says checking her map, Travis nods and starts walking with Aphmau at his side and Rowlet on her head and Polpio on Travis' shoulder.