To Route 101

You left the lab with Ace still on your shoulder.

May walked out next to you, then smiled at you. "I'm planning to head up north of Oldale Town for a bit to look around before I head on to Petalburg. Feel free to stop by if you want to battle or just say hi." Without waiting for an answer, she turned and jogged off, heading for Route 101.

You headed the same direction at a calmer pace. Soon, you were surrounded by well lit forest as the path wound through patches of tall grass and around thicker clusters of trees.

Then a poochyena ran out of the grass, and growled a challenge at you.

Ace jumped down from your shoulder, and you readied yourself for your first pokemon battle.

Then the poochyena charged, trying to Bite Ace's torso.

"Ace, jump over its head and use pound!"

Ace obeyed, but with a moment's hesitation that let the poochyena's teeth scratch his food. In spite of a wince of pain, Ace whirled in the air and then slammed his tail down on the poochyena's back, knocking it into the ground.

The poochyena scrambled back to its feet with a Howl of fury. You had read enough about common Hoenn pokemon to know that the move Howl would give an adrenaline surge to boost its strength.

"Don't let it catch you, run around and hit it from behind!" You yelled.

Ace gave a nod, then darted around as the poochyena charged again. Another tail strike sent the poochyena tumbling, and this time it seemed to need an effort to get back to its feet.