On the Wings of Death

Santalune, the Start of Everything

Once again, Harry was in Aquacorde Town. Only this time, he wasn't here for school.

He would miss the Chimecho at school, he supposed, and maybe some of the students. But throughout the four years of education, none of the students had really gotten to know one another. Probably because they were all competing to know the most number of Pokémon, what type was strong against what, etc. After all they would be rivals in the future.

He slowed to a jog, having taken Route 1 at a sprint. Thankfully the route wasn't too long; otherwise, he might have had to crash at Aquacorde for the night. And that would be so embarrassing.

Remembering what his père had said, Harry looked around for the shops. The Poké Ball shop was instantly obvious from the large Poké Ball displayed on front, and he headed over.

"Hello! What can I do for you today?" the lady behind the counter asked cheerfully.

Harry quickly counted in his head. Not including Honedge, he had space for five more members – for now. That didn't mean he was going to catch five Pokémon straight away. "Three standard Poké Balls, please," he said. Better be safe than sorry.

"Of course," she answered, producing three red-and-white spheres. "That will be six hundred Poké."

Harry handed her his Pokédex and waited. The lady scanned the Pokédex in a machine, which beeped to confirm the transaction.

"Thank you! And good luck on your journey," she added with a smile.

"Merci," Harry answered, pocketing the three spheres.

On his way to the Potions shop, he spotted a man with a large platter. "Um, hello?" he ventured.

The man turned, startled. "Oh, hi there! Are you a beginning trainer?" Without waiting for Harry's reply – although his clothing did make it obvious – he shoved two bottles into Harry's hands. "Here, take these Potions! They'll help you on your journey!" Immediately after, he departed.

Harry blinked after him in surprise. "O-kay? Thanks for the Potions." He shrugged, then slipped them into his bag, heading for Avance Trail.

Harry had been to the Avance Trail a total of four times, each time as a school excursion with the class Chimecho watching for wild Pokémon. From them, he knew that Avance Trail was more or less straight. He also knew that it wasn't very dangerous; each time they'd been there, the few wild Pokémon that had attacked them had been easily repelled by a Confusion.

He also knew that Avance Trail was the first place from Vaniville where there actually were wild Pokémon. Route 1 only contained trained Pokémon – owned by all the people of Vaniville and Aquacorde.

Harry stopped at the very edge of the bridge, looking over at the water. Then, unable to keep the grin off his face, he stepped into the Avance Trail.

Now his journey had really begun.

~OoOoOoO~

Unfortunately, Avance Trail was incredibly boring. Harry rediscovered that fact within two minutes of strolling.

Occasionally there was a Caterpie or Weedle, but Harry really didn't feel like capturing a Bug-type. Instead, he stayed well away. Even if they were just Bug-types... well, Caterpie could release an absolutely horrid scent Harry definitely didn't want hanging around him, and Weedle had toxic barbs.

Instead, he let Honedge out. The Sword Pokémon floated next to him, tassel swaying lightly in the breeze. Ah, so our journey has finally truly begun.

"Yes," Harry agreed. "And I can't wait to get to Santalune Forest. It might be a dark forest, but at least it will be more interesting than this boring route."