Too hyped about her journey's beginning to stand still, Jess turned and ran in the direction Miu had gone, shouting "Thanks, Professor! See you later!" over her shoulder. Her running shoes thundered across the wooden bridge, drawing the attention of a few fish Pokemon lazing about in the sparkling waters below. Belial raced to catch up, flapping his thin, veiny blue wings furiously. Jess saw none of that; she only had Santalune Forest in mind. Not encountering any grouchy wild Pokemon on the trip here had been a blessing, but now, with a partner of her own, she felt invincible. "Time for our first real battle, yeah!" She crossed the threshold of the forest and vanished beneath the shade of the trees.

Without a moment's hesitation, the forest Pokemon obliged. Barely had she taken a step through the thick, tall grass than her foot impacted something thick and warm. An electric jolt resounded through her body, causing a brief spasm. "Gagh!" As she recovered from the shock, a yellow head poked from the foliage, contorted with anger. "Pika, pikachu!" It spat, and raised its lightening-bolt-shaped tail, evidently preparing to zap her again. "Belial," Jess shouted, suddenly painfully aware of leaving him behind, "Engage!"

Just in the nick of time, the Zubat appeared, darting down from between the branches to hover in front of his trainer, shielding her from the wild Pokemon. The Pikachu seeming acknowledged the battle and jumped backward to put some distance between itself and its challenger. Before Jess could issue a command, the Mouse Pokemon made its move. It growled at Belial, and he seemed vaguely upset by it. "What...?" Jess yanked her new Pokedex from the satchel given to her by the Professor and clicked it on. "Pikachu, the Mouse Pokemon," it spoke in an electronic monotone. "It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs. This one knows Tail Whip, Thunder Shock, and Growl." The girl narrowed her eyes. "Alright then. Leech Life, go!"

Eager to prove himself to his trainer once again, Belial charged forward and sank his teeth into the Pikachu's yellow fur. It squealed in protest but was unable to stop the Zubat draining away a portion of its health. When Belial returned to his position, however, he seemed affected as well somehow. Bolts of yellow static arced across his tiny, furry frame, and he seemed to be having a hard time staying airborne. "What's up with you?" The Pikachu took its turn, waggling its tail. This endearing act made it seem far less tough than it first appeared, and Belial partially let down his guard. When he tried to perform Supersonic, however, he found himself unable. More yellow electricity wreathed his body, preventing him from moving. "You've got to be kidding me. Remember what I [i]just said[/i] about adversity? Power through whatever's keeping you from attacking, come on!" No sooner were the words out of her mouth, however, than the Pikachu had released a powerful thundershock that sent Belial spiraling down to the forest floor, unconscious. "[i]WHAT!?[i] We lost!?" Jess stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. It didn't take long for her to start rationalizing it. "Whatever. Must have been one of those critical hits Dad was talking about the other day. Win some, lose some." As the Pikachu fled, she knelt down with a Revive crystal and began prodding Belial with it. "Wake up, bud."