By the time we made it back to Twinleaf the sky had turned that lazy afternoon blue and orange. I could smell someone's barbecue somewhere and it made my stomach growl even though I ate like three hours ago. Guess being a real Trainer makes you hungry faster or something?
Mom was waiting at the door before I even knocked. (She must've been watching through the window again). The moment she saw the Pokédex clipped to my belt she smiled so wide it almost hurt to look at her. "So~" she said pretending to sound casual but failing horribly. "Official now huh?"
I nodded. "Yup I got the card and everything" I held up the Trainer Card like it was some kind of trophy. "Rowan didn't even yell that much this time"
She laughed and wiped at her eyes. "I'm proud of you sweetheart."
Vulpix trotted past her into the house like she owned the place and probably heading straight to her food bowl. Mom followed her with a fond sigh "You two better not make me chase you down if you forget something again"
I went upstairs and packed the few things I'd missed that morning like extra socks (because apparently...that's vital), a small towel, a flashlight, and the photo we'd taken earlier as I stuck it in the side pocket of my bag. My room looked smaller now and weird now that it's so empty. You live somewhere your whole life and the moment you're about to leave it feels like it's shrinking, like it's trying to keep you.
Downstairs, Dad had come home early from work. He had that awkward-dad posture going on half proud but also half terrified. "I hear you're hitting the road" he said.
"Yup" I shifted my bag on my shoulder. "Heading toward Jubilife, Probably will take a day"
He nodded then handed me a small pocket knife "For camping, not fighting" he said quickly when Mom glared at him. "Cutting rope, fruit...you get it"
"Thanks Dad" I said, trying to sound cool about it. I wasn't my throat was tight as i held back some tears.
We did the whole awkward family goodbye hugs that always last a second too long, promises to call every night, the usual stuff. Vulpix stood by the door the entire time tail twitching like Are we done with the emotions yet?
Finally after 10 minutes I stepped out again. The air was colder now the sky sliding toward gold. I looked back one last time as Mom was waving, Dad with his arm around her and that was it. Twinleaf Town got smaller behind me with every step.
Vulpix glanced up, her ears flicking."Yeah, I'm fine" I said before she could even give me the look "Just…weird to actually be leaving" She nudged my leg, soft and warm, then trotted ahead.
Route 201 felt different this time. Not just because of the light but because it meant something now. Same grass, same smell of dirt and honey but every sound felt like it was part of something bigger. A wild Starly chirped overhead and I found myself checking my Pokédex automatically."Starly, the Starling Pokémon. They flock in-" I closed it halfway through the voice line. "Yeah, I know I've seen like forty of them"
Vulpix snorted amused as we kept walking until we reached the stretch where the trees start thinning out and you can see the lake glimmering through the gaps. I don't know why but I stopped. Maybe just to take it all in — the sound of the wind, the shimmer of water, the way Vulpix's fur caught the sunlight like it was glowing faintly.
"This is it" I said out loud mostly to convince myself. "We're really doing this our first adventure"
Vulpix tilted her head with that soft, thoughtful look she does when she's waiting for me to stop being dramatic.
"Hey, come on I can have a moment right...This is a big deal!"
She rolled her eyes...I swear she did and then barked once sharp and excited.And just like that the hesitation snapped.
I grabbed a stick and tossed it ahead into the tall grass. "Alright, partner. First official battle's gonna be whatever comes out of there!"
The grass rustled. My heart jumped. Then a Bidoof waddled out, chewing the stick like it was a gourmet meal as i fall over comically.
"…Okay, anticlimactic BUT" I said but smiled anyway. "Still counts"
Vulpix crouched tails fanned, eyes locked "Go for a quick Ember!"She exhaled a tiny flame not full strength, just a test shot as it hit near Bidoofs paws. The poor thing squeaked and bolted back into the grass unharmed but definitely rethinking its life choices.
"Guess...that's a win?" I ask with a head tilt "We'll call that one practice." I nod to myself.
Vulpix strutted back tail high pretending like she'd just defeated a Gyarados or something. I knelt down and scratched her head. "You were great but we'll get real practice soon...hopefully"
By the time the sun touched the trees, we'd made it close to Sandgem again but instead of going back into town we turned toward the main path leading north.
The sign said: → Jubilife City - 10 km That felt both really far and not far enough.
Vulpix stopped looking back one last time toward Twinleaf's direction. I did too by now the roofs were gone behind the hills but I could still imagine them.
"This is where it starts huh?" I said softly.
She nodded or maybe I just imagined she did and started walking again. The road was dusty and glowing orange in the sunset and our shadows stretched long again side by side.
"Alright" I said quietly feeling that familiar spark in my chest. "Let's go find out how far we can really get."
And just like that Twinleaf Town was behind us. For good this time.