Alix finally tuned back into the conversation. "Oh, we're sharing a bit more? Cool. I was born and raised in Sengun. Specifically, Eyria, in the western mountains."

"Seems we've got people from all over the place," Ato brightly noted. "I'm also a Sengun native. Mystriver's my home, though I haven't been back in quite a while. Work at the Lab keeps me busy. Ah, here we are, the gate to Verdan Forest!" Sure enough, beyond the city gates was a wide expanse of plains bedecked in tall grass and the occasional tree, with the forest standing tall in the distance. A river ran through the middle of the plain, with three bridges spanning the gap.

It was a beautiful sight... if you could ignore the shouts of Trainers young and old rustling through the grass or climbing trees close to the city. The group of five passed through the gates and a short distance onto the route, past the majority of the noisemakers; several schoolchildren dashed past them back into the borders of Regala.

"Okay, team, first steps on your road. Don't let me keep you: have a hunt through the grass, see what you can find. I'll go on ahead, but I'll wait for you guys just past the middle bridge. Gives you a chance to get some early battling in. Sound good?" The commentary came from Ato, who spoke up a little just in case someone or something could drown him out.

Alix nodded. Now would be a good time to start working on training Jen, see how she acted and reacted in battle. Of course, at the same time, she needed to find something to catch to back up Jen for the first Gym challenge. [i]Hang on... Kelsea favours Water-types. Of course she does, Alix, her city's on an island in the middle of a lake! Dangit, I'll have to catch something to take over for Jen in that battle.[/i] To that end, she took the lead, heading off the beaten path straight into the grass to stir something up. Jen shifted a little in her arms, curious about the world outside of the Lab.

As she headed off, Ato spotted a familiar face near the river, and hurried to catch up with him. "Ezra? I thought you'd have moved on by now, since you registered yesterday. Or did you only start proper this morning?"

[hr]
[hider=Pokémon Team Updates]
Update #01

[b]Alix:[/b]
Jen (Torchic), level 5. Scratch, Growl (Speed Boost)

[b]Robyn:[/b]
Nina (Petilil), level 5. Absorb, Growth (Own Tempo)

[b]Shinsuke:[/b]
Hanzo (Froakie), level 5. Pound, Growl, Bubble (Protean)

[b]Evie:[/b]
Venipede, level 5. Defense Curl, Rollout, Poison Sting, Toxic Spikes (Poison Point)

[b]Ezra:[/b]
Brie (Oshawott), level 7. Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun (Shell Armour)
Azz (Azurill), level 2. Splash, Water Gun, Tail Whip (Thick Fat)
[/hider]

[hider=Capture List - Road to Verdan Forest]
[u]Grass:[/u]
Kestra
Sentret
Lillipup
Poochyena
Swablu
Skiddo
Minccino
Fletchling
Skitty
Audino (Rare)

[u]River:[/u]
Magikarp
Azurill
[/hider]