Sandgem Town, Rowan Research Institute.
When Professor Rowan returned to the institute, he learned that the Piplup and Chimchar intended for new Trainers had run off.
This was no big deal.
No matter how far they ran, Piplup and Chimchar would stay somewhere near Sandgem Town.
Professor Rowan had planned to send the researchers to look for them, but to his surprise, Dawn volunteered to go.
Professor Rowan was a little surprised.
"You want to go?"
Dawn said earnestly, "Yes! Those Pokémon could become my partners!"
At that, Professor Rowan's usually stern expression softened considerably. He felt Li Wei had been right to take her on as a student.
Kindness was the most important quality for any new Trainer. Only with kindness could they treat their partners properly.
And Dawn possessed that quality.
Even if she was very likely hopeless with directions...
Still, Professor Rowan nodded.
"All sorts of unexpected things happen on a journey. Hmm, let's let you give it a try."
There was little danger around Sandgem Town, and Chimchar and Piplup knew their purpose, so they wouldn't run too far.
If Dawn wanted to become an excellent Trainer, she would naturally have to learn to handle unexpected situations on her own.
Dawn nodded firmly. "Yes!"
Just as Professor Rowan had expected, after following the direction they had fled in, she reached the entrance to the woods.
There, Dawn found Chimchar hanging from a tree branch with both hands, while Piplup glared up at the little monkey.
"Piplup!"
A Bubble shot toward Chimchar in the tree.
But Chimchar nimbly dodged the bubbles and even made a face at Piplup. "Bleh, bleh, bleh~"
"Piplup, stop!"
(╬•̀皿•́)
But in a fit of anger, Piplup not only refused to stop, but also fired a Bubble at Dawn when she came over