The road out of Maplefall was narrower than Grant remembered.
In his head, Route 3 had always seemed wide and heroic, stretching endlessly into the horizon like the opening scene of a grand adventure. In reality, it was a winding dirt path lined with tall grass, wooden fence posts, and the occasional berry tree drooping under the weight of ripe fruit.
Still, to Grant, it felt like stepping into another world.
He adjusted the straps of his backpack for the third time in ten minutes.
Nyra noticed.
"You're going to wear a hole through those straps if you keep doing that."
Grant flushed. "I just want it to sit right."
Oshawatt trotted between them, shell tucked proudly under one arm like a trophy. Every few steps, it stopped to look around, ears twitching as if it expected the road to applaud its arrival.
"Osha-watt," it declared to a passing Pidove.
The Pidove stared.
Then pecked the ground and ignored it.
Oshawatt huffed.
Grant smiled. "Don't worry. They'll recognize greatness eventually."
Nyra snorted. "That applies to you too, you know."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the morning breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers and river water. Far ahead, the hills rolled gently toward the skyline, and somewhere beyond them lay Striaton City.
Grant had studied maps for years.
But walking the road felt different.
The land was alive.
A herd of Blitzle grazed in a nearby field, their striped coats shimmering in the sunlight. A group of Sewaddle crawled lazily along a tree branch overhead, munching leaves with quiet determination. The tall grass whispered as something small and quick darted through it.
Grant slowed his pace.
Nyra noticed. "You good?"
"Yeah," he said softly. "I just… never realized how much I was missing."
She followed his gaze.
"Yeah," she said. "The world's bigger once you leave home."
They reached a wooden signpost:
Route 3 — Trainers' Path
Wild Pokémon Habitat
Grant swallowed.
This was it.
The place where real trainers trained.
The place where mistakes could actually matter.
Nyra cracked her knuckles. "Alright, Calder. First rule of the road."
"What's that?"
"Always expect something to jump out of the grass."
As if on cue, the tall grass rustled violently.
Oshawatt leaped in front of Grant, shell raised.
"Osha!"
A small brown Pokémon burst out.
A Patrat.
It stood upright, eyes glowing with curiosity.
It tilted its head.
Grant froze.
Nyra leaned over. "Well? Don't just stare at it. You're a trainer now."
Grant swallowed. "R-right."
He stepped forward. "Oshawatt, let's—"
The Patrat squeaked and charged.
"Oshawatt, Water Gun!"
Oshawatt pointed dramatically.
Then tripped.
The water blast shot sideways, splashing a nearby tree.
The Patrat skidded to a stop, confused.
Grant winced. "Okay, okay. Try again."
Oshawatt stood up, shook itself, and nodded firmly.
This time, the stream of water hit cleanly, knocking the Patrat backward into the grass.
It scrambled up, shook its head, and fled.
Oshawatt puffed its chest.
"Osha!"
Grant laughed. "We did it!"
Nyra smirked. "Congratulations. You defeated a Patrat."
Grant shot her a look. "A win is a win."
They continued on.
The sun climbed higher.
The road grew warmer.
Grant's legs started to ache in a way that gym training never prepared him for.
Nyra, meanwhile, walked like she'd been born on the road.
"You're used to traveling, huh?" Grant asked.
She nodded. "Moved around a lot. My parents are part of a League logistics team. Setting up tournaments, transporting equipment, that kind of thing."
"That sounds awesome."
"It's loud," she said. "And busy. But yeah. It is."
Grant hesitated. "So… why Champion?"
Nyra slowed.
"For the same reason you want it," she said. "Because it's the top."
Grant frowned. "That's not my reason."
She glanced at him. "Then what is?"
Grant thought for a moment.
"Because I want to be strong enough that people feel safe when I show up," he said. "Like… when things go wrong. I want to be the trainer people look to."
Nyra studied him.
Then smiled.
"Okay," she said. "That's a good reason."
They reached a small stream crossing the road. The water flowed clear and cool over smooth stones.
Oshawatt squealed and immediately jumped in.
"Osha-watt!"
It splashed wildly, sending water everywhere.
Grant laughed and crouched at the edge. "Hey, careful!"
Nyra rolled her eyes. "You're going to let it soak your bag, aren't you?"
Oshawatt slipped on a rock and fell flat on its back.
It floated for a second.
Then paddled upright, shell bobbing.
"Osha…"
Grant offered his hand. Oshawatt grabbed it and climbed out, dripping.
Nyra tossed it a berry. "For bravery."
Oshawatt beamed.
They sat by the stream for lunch.
Grant ate his sandwich.
Oshawatt tried to steal half of it.
Nyra shared her jerky with Tepig, who snorted happily and warmed the food with a gentle flame.
Grant watched them quietly.
It still felt unreal.
He had a Pokémon.
A rival.
A road.
When had his life changed so fast?
They reached a small rest stop by late afternoon.
A wooden shelter with benches and a vending machine that hummed loudly.
A tired-looking man sat on one bench, adjusting his backpack. A little girl nearby tried to feed a Purrloin that kept stealing her snacks.
Grant leaned against a post.
"This is nice," he said. "Not rushing. Just… traveling."
Nyra nodded. "Journeys aren't just about Gyms. They're about everything between them."
Oshawatt climbed onto the bench and struck a heroic pose.
The tired man blinked. "That your Pokémon?"
Grant smiled proudly. "Yeah."
"First one?"
"Yeah."
The man chuckled. "You never forget your first."
Oshawatt puffed up.
Then tried to jump off the bench and missed.
It landed on its face.
Nyra clapped a hand over her mouth.
Grant rushed over. "You okay?"
Oshawatt rolled onto its back and gave a thumbs up.
"Osha."
Grant sighed in relief. "You're impossible."
Oshawatt grinned.
They stayed until the shadows stretched long and the air cooled.
Nyra checked her map. "We should find somewhere to camp. There's a clearing ahead."
Grant nodded. "I've never camped on a route before."
"You're about to."
The clearing sat just off the road, surrounded by tall trees and soft grass.
Grant set down his pack and stretched. "Okay. What now?"
Nyra tossed him a small tent. "You set up. I'll start a fire."
Grant stared at the folded fabric. "I've never done this."
She grinned. "Welcome to the journey."
Oshawatt tried to help by sitting on the tent.
Grant gently moved it. "You're doing moral support."
"Osha!"
The fire crackled warmly as dusk settled in.
Tepig curled up near the heat.
Oshawatt sat beside Grant, shell resting on its belly.
Grant watched the flames dance.
"So," Nyra said, poking the fire with a stick. "Tomorrow we hit the Trainer School outside Striaton."
Grant blinked. "Trainer School?"
"Yeah. Good place to train before the Gym. Learn the basics. Battle a few rookies."
Grant nodded slowly. "Sounds smart."
She smirked. "I am smart."
He laughed.
The stars came out one by one.
Grant leaned back on his hands and stared at the sky.
From here, the world felt endless.
Nyra lay on her back, arms behind her head. "You know, I never thought I'd start my journey with someone from a tiny town."
Grant glanced at her. "Disappointed?"
She smiled. "Not even a little."
Oshawatt looked up at the stars.
Then looked at Grant.
Then scooted closer.
Grant rested a hand on its head.
"You did good today," he whispered.
Oshawatt chirped softly.
Grant closed his eyes.
The road stretched far ahead.
The Gyms waited.
Battles waited.
But for now, there was only the fire, the stars, and the quiet promise of tomorrow.
And for the first time in his life, Grant felt exactly where he was supposed to be.