The two set off down the street. They walked for a couple of minutes, finally walking out of the tunnel leading to the forest. When they stepped through, it was like stepping through a portal to another world. Vivillon flew through the air, their bright wings a whirl of colour. Scatterbug crawled along the forest floor. Every now and then, a flock of Flying-type pokemon would fly overhead.
"Our first step on our pokemon journey! I'm so excited!" Alex said, jumping with glee. "The forest, N'est-ce pas magnifique?" she asked.

"Bon!" Ashley said. "I think that means 'good'," she added hastily.

"Oui! Me and my father speak french a lot. It's a sycamore thing." Alex said.

"I see..." Ashley said. "You just saw the extent of my knowledge, I know a bit of Spanish though,"

"Interesting! My father and I have a bit of French in us, but we're mostly Kalosian." Alex said, stepping to avoid a couple of Caterpie. "So, there are multiple pokemon around you, but they're easiest to find in the tall grass."

"Right," Ashley said, send out Charmander, who immediately glared at her. "Ok Charmander... um... Let's go,"

"You don't look like you've ever done this before... Battling I mean... Do you want me to demonstrate how to battle?" Alex asked, noticing the trainers hesitation.

"No, I'm ok," Ashley said. Stop giving me that look, Charmander.

"Charmander was always a bit wild. He doesn't really like anyone except maybe Alain." Alex explained. "Plus, a pokemon can sense a trainer's hesitation and will act accordingly. Oh look! Perfect! There's a Sewaddle! It's a perfect battle for you two to bond over! I help my dad study mega-evolution. It isn't possible without a strong bond between trainer and pokemon. And Charizard, Charmander's final evolved form, can mega- evolve!" Alex said excitedly, holding Espurr tightly in her arms.
"Es-Espurr!" the Restraint pokemon agreed.

That information would've been helpful sooner. Ashley let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in. "Ok, here goes." (*wild pokemon encounter music*) "Charmander use Ember!" Ashley shouted. Charmander just sat down and folded his arms. "You've gotta be kidding..."