Picking up her order, Avery thanks the employee, turning to find the once empty cafe filled. Exhaling, she ventured outside to the few tables scattered there. Glad most are empty, she chooses one at random, smiling to herself as she takes a seat.

Sipping on her cinnamon latte, she relaxes, watching the crowd forming as adults grab their caffeine dose for the day, rushing off to whatever job they were stuck with. Young trainers buy treats for their Pokémon, while a smattering of teenagers near her age held a mix of both. They're missing out, she thought as she watched them. Not only did having a job give her the much needed cash, it filled her desire of caring for others. A slight breeze blew loose auburn hair into her face, but she ignored the irritating sensation in favor of her Persim berry PokéPuff. Sweetness filled her mouth as she took a bite, savoring the bright pastry.

"Avery!"

A shock of dark hair catches her eye as she lifts the cream topped muffin. Setting down her breakfast, she stands to greet her old classmate.

"Emerson? What are you going here?" Avery exclaimed as she hugged him, mildly shocked at the sudden height difference. She'd talked to him a week ago, but he never mentioned returning home anytime soon.

Releasing her, Emerson held his arm out, allowing his Talonflame to perch. "We lost our last gym challenge, so we came back to train."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Avery smiled, silently glad that wasn't her problem.

"It's alright," Emerson absentmindedly stroked Talonflame, "You still working at the Pokémon Center?"

Avery nodded. "I enjoy helping the Pokémon."

"Good, you did save my life. It suits you."

Ignoring the flush crossing her cheeks, she turned back to her table only to find a flash of red and white. Sharing a confused look with her old friend, Avery approaches her chair. Her latte had grown lukewarm, but her breakfast was gone.

"That Pokemon took my PokéPuff!"

Understanding glinted in Emerson's eyes. He immediately launches Talonflame into the air. "Don't hurt it, just see where it's headed."

Disregarding her drink, Avery jolts after Emerson. "Wait for me!"

Throwing apologies over her shoulder, she did her best to keep Emerson in her sight as she shoved through the crowd, once more allowing him to lead her out of town. Leaves of all sizes flew past as she stepped onto Route 3. Ignoring the children surrounding the main trail, Avery searched the sky for signs of her muffin thief. Emerson slows to a walk, defeat sagging his shoulders even before Talonflame reaches them.

"Sorry, Av."

Halting, Avery sighed. "It's okay. It was only a PokéPuff after all, right?"

"Tal-on!" Emerson's partner hovers overhead, circling urgently.

Brushing his dark bangs out of his face, Emerson studies his Pokemon, although Avery can't tell what conversation is taking place. It's just like back then, she realizes as she waits.

Dark clouds blocked the sun, causing the young pair to shiver in fear. Pokémon run to find cover, sensing the rain the human children could not.

"Em, let's go home." Avery cried.

Emerson shushed her, creeping up to a large bush. Parting the branches, he peeked past at something Avery couldn't see. Curiously taking hold, she took a few hesitant steps forward. Shadows concealed the sun, but Emerson pressed on. Brushing her tangled amber hair aside, she nearly missed the figure that burst from the bush, knocking her friend back with incredible force.

"Emerson!"

Without thinking, she rushed to block her friend from the figure. Lightning struck nearby, spotting her eyesight, but not before she glimpsed the jagged ear of the Pokémon as it ran away.

"Av," Emerson's voice broke the threads of memory that threatened to engulf her.

Turning to meet his worried hazel eyes, Avery attempted to smile. "Yes?"

"Did you hear me? I said we can still catch that thief."

"What are we waiting for?" she demands, jogging further down the trail.

Smiling, Emerson signaled Talonflame to lead the way.

Branches stretch out to meet them as they venture off the trail, laying their marks on the teenagers shoulders. Pokémon skitter out their way, leaving only the occasional monkey Pokémon to observe them. Avery didn't want to slow down, but soon Emerson stopped. Indicating that they should remain quiet, he allowed Talonflame to land on his arm.

Avery squatted down, inhaling sharply. "Did you find that Pokémon yet?"

When Emerson didn't immediately answer, she glanced up. "Em?"

Something in the set of his shoulders caused unease to form in her stomach. Stepping closer, she glanced around his shoulder. A few yards away sat a Raichu, it's right ear deformed. It moved between the nearby bushes, collecting berries. An ear twitched in their direction before returning to its task, clearly not afraid of them.

"Is that..." she breathed, not removing her eyes from the Electric-type.

"I think so."

Emerson's whisper was the only sound in the normally noisy forest. Talonflame's caw seemed far away as the wind caressed the leaves around them. Neither of them moved, a feat Avery once thought impossible for Emerson. She didn't realize how tense she was until Raichu scampered off. Only then did she take a deep breath.

Finally, he turned to look at her. "I didn't thank you, that day."

Avoiding his eyes, Avery raised her head to search for Talonflame. "It was nothing."

"Saving someone's life isn't nothing, Avery."

"Why didn't you try to catch it?" she countered, spinning on him. "You wanted it so badly when we were children. What stopped you?"

Emerson whirls on her. "You, you stopped me. You always stop me."

She wanted to throw back a snarky retort, but her throat felt dry. Images of the two of them filled her mind. Moments when Emerson's reckless nature almost got them hurt. Avery's lips twitched, recalling a few times in particular where she had intervened. Hanging onto his shirt as Emerson's young arms waved frantically before she pulled him back from the cliff's edge. Running to get his mother one time at the beach when a riptide pulled him out too far. Encountering Raichu.

"You're always there to save me when I need you, all I wanted after it attacked me was to it keep it from attacking you." Emerson said softly, not turning when his Pokémon returned.

Avery toyed with the bracelet on her wrist. It didn't help that his gaze usually wasn't so serious. He really has matured, she realized with a start. Loud chirping caught her attention before she could form a reply, anger flashing as her eyes landed on her PokéPuff perpetrator perched in a nearby tree. Pink frosting stained its beak, the remainder of the sweet treat sitting behind him.

"You! Give me back my PokéPuff right now!" Avery stormed towards the Pokémon, who fluttered further away.

"Yelling at it isn't going to do any good," Emerson chided. "Battling is the way to get your feelings across."

Avery wheeled on him. "You know I don't have any Pokémon, besides it should give back what it stole."

Emerson shrugged. "You can use one of mine. Frogadier would be a good choice."

Glancing back at the Fletchling, who hopped closer to its prize, Avery hesitated. Although she knew how to battle, she never had before. After nearly being seriously injured, she had turned down the opportunity to get a Pokémonwhen she was ten. She'd opted to remain in the village, caring for other people's Pokémon instead. Flicking her eyes back to the bird however, she felt herself stand taller.

"Give him to me," Avery heard herself say, removing one hand from her hip.

Surprise crossed his face, but he removes the PokéBall without hesitation. "Go get 'em."

"Thanks," Avery faced the Fletching, holding the sphere out to her opponent. "You're going down."

Tossing the ball, she waited as Frogadier appeared. Locking eyes with him, Emerson smiled. "Would you battle with Avery?"

Frogadier frowned, but got into position.

"Thanks, Frogadier." Avery backed up a few feet.

Emerson crossed his arms. "He knows Quick Attack, Smokescreen, Cut and Water Pulse."

Avery nodded. "Frogadier, use Water Pulse!"

Fletchling flapped its wings, hovering over the water. His body glowed white as it raced toward his opponent. Frogadier lazily leapt up, completely avoiding the attack. Without waiting for a command, he used his momentum to slam into Fletchling. Avery's confidence began to waver, the hesitancy enough to give Fletchling time to hit the Water-type twice more.

Uncertain, Avery turned to Emerson. "Don't relent!" he yelled. "Keep attacking!"

"Right!"

Avery glared at the Fletchling as it flapped its wings. "Hit it with another Water Pulse!"

Shooting her an annoyed look, Frogaider took aim. Fletchling danced away from the first two attacks, but was too slow to miss the last one. Avery gasped as it landed hard on the ground, dazed. Instinctively, she rushed to it. Rocks pressed into her knees, but Avery ignored them. All her frustration and anger drained out as she took in the damage Fletchling had endured.

"Do you want to catch it?" Emerson pulled a spare PokéBall from his bag, offering it to her.

Looking between him and Frogadier, then back to Fletchling, she shook her head. Carefully lifting the bird Pokemon, Avery automatically reaches for her medical kit only to remember belatedly that she left it at work. Emerson silently hands her his, which she acknowledges with a nod.

"Thanks."

Disregarding Emerson's questioning gaze, Avery focused on healing the injuries Fletchling received. Why did I battle this Pokemon? What did I hope to accomplish? Tying off the bandage, Avery released the Flying-type. Fletchling tilted his head in confusion. Beating his wings, he hovers near her.

"I'm not mad anymore," Avery says quietly, looking away. "So you can go, I won't hurt you."

Warily, Fletchling returned to his tree. Avery turned to go, surprised when a pink blur flies past. Emerson catches it reflexibly, eyes widening when Avery's muffin is revealed.

"Fletch, Fletchling,"

Avery glanced back in time to see Fletchling fly off. Emerson shared her perplexed look, shrugging before handing the treat over.

"Are you alright, Frogadier?" she asks as they head back.

"Frog,"

"He's fine, don't worry." Emerson smiles, recalling his partner.

Leaves rustle as they slowly walk towards Santalune City, only the battling of young trainers breaking the peace that surrounds their hometown.

"You did fairly well for your first time battling."

Avery looked at him but remained quiet. She couldn't count what she did good. Using a more experienced Pokémon against a weaker one wasn't right. She cringed as she remembered how much she stopped caring in that moment. She didn't care about Fletchling's well being, only her need for retaliation.

Emerson waited until they reached the end of Route 3 before speaking again. "You did well," he touched her shoulder. "It's not too late to start your journey. You could still get a Pokémon from Professor Sycamore."

Brushing off his hand, Avery continued walking.

#

At first, Avery thought the orange belonged to a wild Pansear. The Elemental trio weren't uncommon in the floral town. The smell drew them in, along with the food they could steal from humans. However, the orange was soon followed by white as whatever it was disappeared. Avery knew it had to be a Pokémon of some kind, although she couldn't identify it since it would hide every time she looked more closely. 

A few days passed before she decided to get to the bottom of this mystery. After clocking out of work, she visited places randomly to see where it might show up. First was the park, then she visited an old clothing store, all while keeping her senses attuned to any irregularities. Browsing the scarves in the window, a flash of orange made her jump. Quickly choosing one at random, she rushed to pay. Making herself walk slowly was almost painful, but paid off when she reached the cafe next door. On a whim, she joined the line, jostling her fingers against her leg as she waited. When her turn came, she made her typical purchase, despite the fact that she never drank coffee past noon.

Settling down at the nearest outdoor table, she hoped she hadn't missed her chance. Taking a nervous sip of her latte, Avery pushed the PokéPuff further across the flat surface. Winding the blue scarf around her neck, she fought the urge to look behind her. Her patience is soon rewarded however, as a pair of white and orange feathers flutter onto the table.

"Fletch—" her voice comes out higher than normal, causing her to clear it before she tries again. "Fletchling?"

Tilting its head, the bird Pokémon studies her with equal fascination, although its attention soon returns to the warm pastry.

Nodding mutely, she gestures to the food. "You can have it,"

Hesitation crosses its features before excitement replaces it. Fletchling hops closer to the treat, glancing at her once as he digs in. Avery lowers her head to her folded arms, watching curiously as the Flying-type eats. Delight is the clearest of emotions she can read, reminding her of Emerson, when he won his first badge. Smiling, she inched out an arm. Fletchling's wings flutter once, but it stays put, allowing her to stroke a feather as it finishes its meal.

"I'm sorry, Fletchling," Avery sighed. "I wasn't myself when met the other day."

In response, the feathered Pokémon leans into her touch, trills vibrating out of his small body.

"I guess that means you forgive me?"

Nodding, Fletchling hops closer. Avery stays still, not wanting to frighten the small Pokemon. She's not sure how much time passes, but the sun is starting to wane when Emerson finds her.

"So you decided to catch it after all."

Startled, Avery sits up as Fletchling flies away. Frowning, she meets Emerson's gaze. "No."

Confused, Emerson gestures to something over her shoulder. "Then why is it sitting on you?"

Surprised, Avery follows his line of sight. On her right shoulder, just out of her peripheral vision sat Fletchling. "I thought you left," she exhaled.

Chirping indignantly, it went back to cleaning it went back to cleaning its feathers.

"I think it's trying to tell you it doesn't want to," Emerson chuckled.

Avery's mouth open and closed, shocked. "I wanted to apologize to him and knew there'd been a Pokémon nearby, so I came here." she eventually said. "I wasn't sure it would be the same Pokemon."

"What are you going to do now?"

Avery shook her head. She didn't know why, but she didn't want Fletchling to leave. However, she wasn't sure she could go on a journey either. She'd been restless in Santalune for some time, but would she be able to survive on her own in between towns?

Emerson gently tugged on her hand until she stood. "Battle me,"

"What? Why would I do that?"

"It'll help you make up your mind."

Speechless, she glanced at Fletchling who nodded. "You sure?" she whispered as she reluctantly followed Emerson back to her workplace.

Nurse Joy smiled as they passed through to the battlefield, thankfully not saying anything about her new Pokémon.

"Let's go, Frogadier!"

Heading to the opposite end of the field, Avery found it odd to be viewing her friend from this angle. They'd always been close, even after he became a Trainer. No rivalry had sparked between the pair since she'd never owned a Pokemon.

"Fletch!" The small Pokémon cried as it flew off her shoulder, fearlessly.

"That's the spirit!" Emerson praised. "You go first, Avery."

Swallowing, Avery tried to feel confident. "Use Quick Attack, Fletchling!"

Although she had no reason to be, Avery felt surprised when the Flying-type obeyed. Frogadier allowed it to land one hit, waiting for his Trainer's command.

"Smokescreen!"

Emerson's words rang out over the field in time with the black fog that spread from Frogadier.

"Get higher!" Avery called without thinking.

Beating his wings, Fletchling shot out of range. Glancing back at Avery, she read the same desire to win that she felt. Although she wasn't super competitive, Avery knew she didn't want to lose this battle.

"Fletchling!"

"Blow that smoke away!"

Even though she didn't know his exact moveset, Avery knew Flying-types could create their own wind. Looks like my studies did pay off, she thought, watching as Fletchling cleared the air. It wasn't as powerful as Gust, but it proved her theory. Now if we could just turn that into a stronger attack.

"Flap your wings as hard as you can!"

"Water Pulse!"

Avoiding the spray, Fletchling flew behind Frogadier. Flapping twice as much now, he directed all his might at the amphibian. Frogaider tried to stop his momentum, but Fletchling doubled his efforts. Emerson's surprise matched his Pokemon's as Frogadier picked himself up seconds later.

"That was good," he called. "But try this out! Frogadier, Aqua Jet!"

Avery's mouth opened in shock as Fletchling tried dodging, but he was too slow. Frowning, Avery jogged onto the field. Cradling the small Flying-type close to her, Avery smiled. "You did great, Fletchling," she said, watching his eyes open.

"You both did," Emerson agreed, walking over. "Avery, you surprised me. That strategy was better than I normally see in a new Trainer."

"But I'm no—" she started, only to be waved away.

"You battled like a Trainer," Emerson stated. "People who own Pokémon for companionship don't battle like that."

Frogadier nodded in agreement, while Fletchling chirped.

"Fletchling loves to battle, don't you?"

The small bird trilled in response, allowing Emerson to stroke his head.

"It would be a waste not to let him," Avery said slowly, glancing between them. "You should take him."

Emerson shook his head. "No, he likes you. It's you he wants to battle beside."

Fletchling flew onto her shoulder in agreement, nuzzling her.

"Av, you should come with me. Start your journey," Emerson said quietly, offering her a hand.

She considered him, his certainty that she'd make a great Trainer. His belief in her that she knew wouldn't waver, not matter how lowly she saw herself.

"Alright," she allowed him to help her stand.