The morning sun warmed Shion's shoulders as he followed a narrow dirt path that wound between tall grass and scattered trees. The farther he walked, the more Riverleaf faded behind him not just in distance, but in feeling. He was no longer a boy working in the fields.
He was a traveler.
Kiba remained in his Poké Ball for rest, and Arceus still in the form of a slightly grumpy and very round Bidoof trotted alongside him, occasionally tripping over rocks or complaining about how uneven the terrain was.
"This is the worst method of travel ever invented," Bidoof muttered for the fourth time that hour. "No wheels, no wings, no divine transport. Just dirt. And walking. I was once a being of pure energy, you know."
Shion smirked, keeping his eyes on the path. "And now you're waddling next to a farm boy. Life's full of surprises."
"I used to move through realms."
"You're struggling with a hill."
"Remind me again why I didn't get a champion who could afford a cart?"
---
Into the Wild
The trees grew denser as the afternoon wore on, and the sun shifted in the sky. Pokémon sounds echoed through the brush rustling leaves, distant cries, and chirps that Shion couldn't identify. Some of it made him nervous. Others filled him with wonder.
This was the world beyond Riverleaf. No boundaries. No fences. Just raw, untamed land.
He paused to admire a pair of Ledyba gliding overhead when a low growl snapped his attention to the right.
Shion turned slowly.
A wild Mightyena emerged from the underbrush, yellow eyes locked on him, fur bristling, and fangs bared. Its posture wasn't berserk like the Ursaring this was a territorial warning.
"Oh... no."
He instinctively reached for Kiba's Poké Ball, but hesitated. His partner was still recovering.
The Mightyena snarled and took a step closer.
Bidoof blinked. "Well, now would be a good time for divine intervention."
"YOU'RE the divine intervention!" Shion hissed.
"I'm a Bidoof, not a miracle!"
Mightyena lunged.
"RUN!"
Shion turned on his heels and sprinted, Bidoof in his arms screaming in panic as they tore through the woods. Branches whipped at Shion's face. He leapt over roots, dodged brambles, and panted as the sound of pounding paws chased close behind.
"You'd better not drop me!"
"I'M TRYING NOT TO!"
After several heart-stopping minutes, Shion ducked into a fallen log, holding his breath. The Mightyena barreled past, barking into the trees. It didn't double back.
Silence.
Shion exhaled, heart racing, chest heaving.
Bidoof wriggled in his arms. "I hate this body."
--
Night came faster than expected. The canopy blocked most of the moonlight, but Shion found a shallow cave beneath a cliffside. It would do. He cleared it of branches and rocks, made a small fire using dry leaves, and leaned back with a sigh.
His legs ached. His arm still stung.
But he'd made it through his first day.
He reached into his pack and pulled out a cloth bundle inside were slices of dried jerky, small loaves of dense bread, and a sealed packet of berry jam. His mother's touch. He smiled faintly.
Kiba's Poké Ball clicked softly as he released it.
The newly evolved Dusk Lycanroc stepped out, eyes adjusting to the low light. Bandages still wrapped parts of his body, but he walked without limping.
Shion offered him a pouch of berries. Kiba barked softly in thanks and sat near the fire, munching.
"You're amazing, you know that?" Shion said, watching the flames flicker. "You really are."
Kiba leaned over and licked his face, tail thumping gently on the ground.
"Gross," Shion muttered, but he was smiling.
Bidoof sat across the fire with a few raw berries. "This diet is unacceptable."
"You're lucky you're not dinner," Shion shot back.
---
As the fire crackled and the woods fell quiet, Shion leaned back and looked up at the stars.
"Can you sense any of your Plates?" he asked.
Arceus, still chewing on a berry stem, paused. "Somewhat. There's... a faint pulse. Like an echo calling from far away."
"Can you find it?"
"Not precisely," Arceus said. "Not yet. I can tell the general direction. But even the nearest one is still days away. Maybe weeks."
Shion groaned and lay back. "This is going to be a long journey…"
There was a beat of silence.
"…But I think I'm ready for it."
---
The Next Morning
Birdsong roused Shion from sleep. His back ached from the cave floor, but the smell of clean air and the rustle of trees made him forget.
He stretched, packed up his gear, and began walking again. Kiba walked beside him now, ears perked, tail flicking. Bidoof followed on stubby legs, constantly complaining about pebbles and elevation.
They didn't get far before encountering a wild Stantler blocking the trail. The creature stamped its hooves, staring at them with glowing eyes.
This time, Shion didn't run.
"Kiba," he said, "go."
The Lycanroc leapt forward with a howl.
The Stantler's eyes glowed, using Hypnosis, but Kiba veered, his speed a blur. Shion barely saw it—
—a crack of stone, a flash of light—
And the Stantler stumbled back, dazed, before fleeing into the woods.
"What was that?" Shion asked. "That wasn't Quick Attack, was it?"
Bidoof waddled up. "No. That was Accelerock. A Rock-type priority move. Unique to Lycanroc's evolution line."
Shion's eyes widened. "Kiba has a special move?"
"He has few," Bidoof muttered. "But yes. That's one of them."
Shion turned to Kiba, grinning. "That was awesome!"
Kiba barked proudly, fluff puffing out.
---
As they walked, a thought struck Shion. He looked down at Arceus.
"Hey… can you understand Kiba when he barks?"
"Yes," Bidoof said flatly. "He's been calling you an overexcited human for the last hour."
Shion's eyes widened. "Wait ,you can translate for me?!"
"I could've been doing it this whole time. You just didn't ask."
Shion turned to Kiba. "Quick, ask him something!"
Arceus rolled his eyes. "Kiba, your human wants to know your deepest secrets. Respond wisely."
Kiba barked twice and let out a short growl.
"He said: 'I want more berries, and also your backpack smells like Tauros.'"
Shion burst out laughing. "This is going to be amazing!"
"Or endlessly irritating," Bidoof muttered.
---
The day unfolded slowly.
They crossed streams, gathered berries from low shrubs, startled a flock of Wingull bathing in a pond, and even saw a massive pidgeot soaring in the distance.
They fought more wild Pokémon too—a pair of Nuzleaf, a territorial Gloom, and even a feisty Zangoose that took longer to fend off. But with Kiba's new speed and sharp instincts, they triumphed each time.
They found no roads, no towns, and no signs of civilization.
But Shion didn't mind.
He was learning. Growing.
Living.
---
That night, they made camp under an open sky. Shion stared at the stars again, lying on his back with hands behind his head.
Bidoof was already snoring.
Kiba sat beside him, eyes sharp, always alert even while resting.
"Do you think we'll find the Plate soon?" Shion asked.
Kiba gave a soft whine.
"Yeah… me neither. But we'll keep moving. Keep trying."
Kiba leaned down and rested his head on Shion's shoulder.