After Phanpy and Cyndaquil have been seen to by Nurse Joy and after a good night's sleep, Emily and I set out for Violet City.

"Chiko!" Chikorita said, stretching and leaping onto my shoulder.

"Quil..." Emily's Cyndaquil yawned.

"Have some rest, Cyndaquil, you must still be tired after the battle," Emily said, patting her Pokemon.

"Does Cyndaquil get tired easily?" I asked curiously. "Phanpy seems all rested up but Cyndaquil seems really tired."

"I think Cyndaquil didn't sleep well last night," Emily replied. "Professor Elm told me that this Cyndaquil is usually restless; he hoped that with me as its trainer, Cyndaquil's condition would improve. But so far, I have no luck with that."

"Perhaps having Cyndaquil to feel more at ease with you could help," I suggested, continuing to walk. Chikorita nodded, nudging me happily.

"Yes, I do hope so," Emily said anxiously. "After all, I am going on this journey to find out what I can do to help Pokemon."

"I think Cyndaquil likes you," I said. "Don't worry about it."

"Alright, let's get started on this journey to reach our goals!" Emily said with a smile.

Together, we walked towards the direction of Violet City. Stopping from time to time to take a quick break, I could already feel the gym battle within my reach. Except the only thing within my reach is Chikorita.

"Chiko!" Chikorita had cut off an apple hanging from a tree branch with its Razor Leaf and it offered it to Cyndaquil.

"Cynda?" Cyndaquil asked.

"Chiko!" Chikorita said.

Cyndaquil took a bite out of the apple and smiled. "Quil!" Cyndaquil said to Chikorita, as if to thank it.

"Looks like Cyndaquil likes your Chikorita," Emily commented, taking a bite of another apple.

"Sure looks that way," I chuckled, finishing up my own apple.

Chikorita and Cyndaquil ran ahead, leaving the both of us to catch up - again.

"They must be energised after their little snack," Emily mused.

"Chiko!" Chikorita jumped back from a tree.

"Chikorita, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Chi!" Chikorita pointed at the tree with its leaf.

"Cynda!" Cyndaquil immediately ran up to Emily and clutched her leg tightly.

"It's a swarm of Beedrill! Run!" I cried, speeding off after grabbing Chikorita.

Emily took off as well, with Cyndaquil hiding in her small backpack, only peering out once in a while, but would hide back inside again after seeing the angry Beedrill.

"I... don't think... I can keep... this up!" I panted. "I was never the best runner in my school anyways!"

"Come on!" Emily said, running a lot faster than me. "We got to find water or something. Something to distract the Beedrill or we will be attacked."

"Aren't Bug types weak against Fire types?" I asked, forcing my tired legs to continue. "You could use Cyndaquil!"

"That's right!" Emily realised. "Cyndaquil, hit them with your Flamethrower attack!"

"Cynda," Cyndaquil hid inside her bag, shivering with fright.

"Oh no!" Emily cried. "Cyndaquil, we need you, please!"

"Cynda..." Cyndaquil seemed apologetic.

"What else Bug types are weak against?" I gasped, feeling myself slowing down.

"I can't remember!" Emily's voice was frantic.

Even worse, I couldn't see any water source that is big enough to jump into.

"Chiko!" Chikorita tried to encourage me to keep going but I just couldn't run anymore.

I slowed to a walk and heard the buzzing of the Beedrill behind me. "Fern!" Emily shouted.

A large shadow loomed over me. For a moment, I thought it was the Beedrill, ready to attack, but it was something way bigger.

It's Salamence! It came after all! I thought in relief as the Dragon type Pokemon finished off the Beedrill with a powerful Flamethrower.

The ones that were not attacked ran away, leaving the fainted one where they lay.

"Is... that your Pokemon?" Emily asked.

"Yes," I smiled as Salamence landed next to me.

I collapsed on the ground, tired from all the running. Phanpy cane out of its Pokeball and carried me on its truck.

"If you came out of your Pokeball earlier, that would be more helpful," I groaned. "But thanks for the lift."

"Phanpy, phan!" Phanpy said.

"Chi!" Chikorita said.

"Salamence, would you mind if I send you back into your Pokeball?" I asked. Salamence shook its head and I returned both it and Chikorita back into their Pokeballs.

"You do have great Pokemon," Emily commented.

"I'm lucky to get them," I replied, smiling warmly at the small but powerful Phanpy carrying me to a shady spot to rest. "Since they have helped me a lot, I will make this promise to them; to always do my best and put their welfare first before mine."

Like a good trainer should.