Route 203 was brighter than I expected, maybe it was just the way the morning light hit the grass either way it felt good as the city noise had faded behind me replaced by the hum of wind and wild Pokémon somewhere in the tall grass.
Vulpix padded beside me her tail flicking lazily as Every now and then she would glance at my pocket where a few Oran Berries stuck out.
I heard someone running before I saw her.
"Aiko! Hey!"
I turned just in time for Lani to wave so fast her scarf almost flew off as she jogged up a little out of breath, her Piplup hopping along beside her.
"Wow, you really move fast" she said between gasps "I thought I'd catch up near the halfway point!"
"Guess I just have longer legs" I said with a grin.
Piplup chirped something that sounded suspiciously like laughter as Lani crossed her arms "Alright tall guy since you're apparently a road expert now you can lead the way"
We walked together for a while just talking about small stuff like her upcoming contest or how Kai apparently posted about his 'epic victory' on PokéLink even though he lost and how Vulpix keeps trying to eat my trail snacks.
It was easy being around her, no pressure or no need to act cool just two trainers and their Pokémon on a path to the next city.
Around midday we stopped near a creek tp refill on water as I knelt to refill my water bottle while Vulpix chased a leaf in the current as Lani sat cross legged beside her Piplup who was blowing tiny bubbles and popping them like a kid.
"So" Lani said leaning back on her hands "how many Pokémon do you have so far?"
"Just Vulpix...haven't really caught anyone else yet"
Her eyes widened. "Really? Route 203 is full of wild Pokémon! You haven't even tried?"
"I tried to throw a Poké Ball at a Starly earlier...and missed by about a mile"
She laughed so hard she almost fell over "Okay we're fixing that, You need a team!"
I shrugged "I'll know when I meet the right one."
Before she could reply Vulpix froze mid-step ears twitching and fur bristling slightly.
"What is it?" I whisper.
The air felt heavier suddenly not dangerous just…strange like the sound around us had dulled. That's when I saw it a faint shimmer in the grass ahead like sunlight bending wrong.
A small figure stepped out, white and green, elegant and cautious. A Kirlia!
"Whoa" Lani breathed "That's rare around here"
Kirlia tilted her head watching us as her red eyes looked curious but wary like she was trying to read our thoughts.
I pulled out my Pokédex "Kirlia, the Emotion Pokémon. It senses its trainer's feelings, if treated with kindness it grows beautiful and strong"
Vulpix crouched low tails flicking, ready.
"Alright" I said quietly with a nod "We're doing this"
Lani leaned forward, whispering, "Careful they're a psychic type, they'll mess with your head if you rush in"
"Got it" I said.
"Alright Vulpix start with Quick Attack but keep it controlled!"
She darted forward in a blur of orange and white as Kirlia's eyes flashed blue and a wave of psychic energy shimmered through the air as Vulpix skidded mid run fighting against the invisible pressure.
"Use Ember now!"
She launched a small fireball not strong enough to hurt much but bright enough to scatter the psychic wave as Kirlia jumped back spinning gracefully.
"Man she's fast" I muttered.
Lani whispered beside me "Try not to push too hard, you don't want to scare her off"
I nodded. "Right, Vulpix surround her but don't attack"
Vulpix started circling slowly tail waving and keeping her distance as Kirlia's gaze followed her calm but cautious. For a second it looked like a standoff fire and mind reading each others rhythm.
Then Kirlia's form flickered for half a second and vanished.
"Teleport!" I realized too late as she reappeared behind Vulpix and sent out a burst of psychic light, It wasn't an attack...more like a warning?
Vulpix turned staring right back as neither of them moved.
I swallowed pulling a Poké Ball from my belt "Alright no tricks let's try this the honest way"
Vulpix glanced at me then back at Kirlia as slowly she sat down. The tension dropped as Kirlia blinked her glow fading.
"Okay…" I whispered holding the ball ready.
I threw the ball as it hit gently and sucked her inside with a flash of light. It rocked once...twice…
Click
The sound hit like thunder in my chest.
Lani whooped so loud it scared a flock of Starly out of the trees "You did it! That was awesome!"
I just stared at the Poké Ball for a moment grinning like an idiot "We…actually did it."
Vulpix barked proudly tail wagging like crazy.
Lani peeked at the ball "So what do you think her ability is?"
I opened the Pokédex again "Kirlia's ability: Synchronize. When inflicted with a status condition it passes the same condition to the foe"
My grin widened "Synchronize huh? That's gonna be useful" as I clipped Kirlia's Poké Ball to my belt "Welcome to the team" I said quietly.
The wind blew through the grass again soft and steady and for the first time I felt like our little group was starting to come together; me, Vulpix, and now this calm and mysterious Kirlia who could literally feel what I felt.
Lani smiled beside me "Looks like you're not a solo act anymore"
"Guess not but" I said still looking at the Poké Ball "It feels…right though"
She stood up, brushing grass off her skirt "Then let's go Oreburgh's waiting"
Vulpix stretched, Kirlia's ball warm against my hand and the three of us started walking again.
For the first time since leaving home the road didn't feel lonely.
It felt alive.