MunchMunch stared at the path leading away from the National Park and fidgeted with what Shadow told him was called a “cap”.

  Except it was made for Pokémon, so it had no top which allowed his ears to poke through.

  MunchMunch didn’t like it very much, but his Teddy did — so he kept it.

  He also had a little backpack on his back.

  MunchMunch did like that.

  It was full of berries. And it was his job to keep it full, so he could snack from it.

  Whenever.

  He.

  Wanted.

  “Munch,” he giggled, continuing to stare at the path for any berry trees that might be hiding.

  “Mama Gastly,” he said, glancing at his shadow where she was hiding. “Do I really get to eat berries whenever I want?”

  “It’s also your job to keep the backpack full,” she reminded lazily. “If you run out, it’s your fault.”

  MunchMunch nodded and immediately took the backpack off. He wasn’t worried, food loved him — so he would find all the berries he needed!

  “What kind of berry should I have first, Shadow?” he giggled joyously. It was a little hard to open the backpack with his claws, but he would get used to it.

  “I could get the tummy-warm berry, or the face-scrunch berry, or — “

  He froze. “Shadow, do you think there are candy-berries in here too?!”

  She snorted, causing his shadow to ripple. He had never seen it do that before — it looked really cool.

  “Oh! I could just stick my paw in and eat whichever one I pull out?” he continued thoughtfully, sticking his paw in.

  He pulled out a pink berry.

  “I guess it is a candy berry!” he exclaimed happily, stuffing it into his mouth.

  Gastly dissolved into a full on cackle as Teddy joined them from the Ranger station, Togepi in hand.

  “Munch!” MunchMunch smiled, waddling up to them and holding out his arms.

  Happy reached out for him at the same time, and Teddy gently lowered her.

  “Hi Happy!”

  “Pii~~”

  “Mama Shadow, wanna to say hi?”

  Gastly peered from the darkness.

  “No.”

  “But Mama!”

  Shadow sniffed. “Don’t Mama me. Look at it, it’s sticking its tongue out at me!”

  “No! She is just happy!” MunchMunch reassured.

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  “Mmhmm,” she rolled her eyes.

  ____

  Teddy watched in exasperation as his Pokémon greeted each other.

  The baby Togepi definitely stuck its tongue out at Shadow when MunchMunch wasn’t looking.

  He was intrigued to see how that would turn out. Especially when Shadow returned the favor when MunchMunch got distracted by a butterfly.

  Speaking of, the backpack and hat were a great idea. A Pokéfan named Clarissa had put him onto it.

  It cost more than he would have liked, considering it came from the Park Gift Shop. It also didn’t quite fit as it was tailored for Pikachu or Eevee sized companions.

  But other than that? It was perfect. MunchMunch looked so proud. Teddy also took a picture because frankly, he looked adorable.

  His own backpack was quite a bit heavier, containing as much food as he could carry, a small tent and the fold-up bike. Hopefully MunchMunch took his job seriously and found enough food to feed himself, or he and MunchMunch would have to be careful about how much they ate.

  Togepi would probably eat barely more than 2 berries the entire trip, and Gastly didn’t eat at all — a small blessing he was glad to take.

  He adjusted his pack and looked back.

  It still stung, leaving without obtaining the Gym Badge from Goldenrod.

  He just needed to remind himself: “Not good enough now” didn’t mean “Not good enough ever.”

  They would be back. For now though?

  For now, his team was ready to move forward.

  ____

  MunchMunch wanted to carry Happy the entire time. He really did.

  But his arms hurt. And she was too small to sit on his head. So now their Teddy was carrying her while she slept, the Cheri Berry clutched tight.

  “Have you been looking for berries, MunchMunch?” Shadow asked conversationally, drifting along beside him. The path had turned into little more than a trail, and the trees cast enough shade for her to be comfortable.

  MunchMunch liked these trees. They were a lot smaller than the ones in Lord Celebi’s forest, and the shade they cast was a lot lighter.

  It made the whole walk feel happy.

  “Yep,” he nodded.

  “Really? I haven’t seen you look at all.”

  MunchMunch giggled. “I don’t need to look. Food loves me.”

  “Mmhmm, I know it does, but — “

  Suddenly MunchMunch’s nose twitched.

  Then his tummy rumbled.

  “Munch!” he shouted, skipping off the path towards a bush. When he got there, he stuffed a paw in and pulled out a berry.

  “See?” he exclaimed proudly, turning to look at Gastly who was watching him with her mouth hanging open.

  MunchMunch stared at the berry. It was a tummy-warm berry… Oran, if he remembered correctly? He hadn’t had one from his backpack yet, so instead of saving it he ate it instead.

  “Ok! We can keep going!” he nodded, continuing his search for more berries.

  ____

  The day turned to afternoon, and afternoon to early evening. They had stopped for a couple of breaks, and once to play in a stream. But for the most part, they had walked.

  MunchMunch had walked with them the entire time and kept his backpack full!

  “I really am growing up, huh Mama?” he grinned.

  Shadow chuckled, stretching out to enjoy the deepening night as their Teddy set up the tent.

  “Last time we had a long hike, I couldn’t walk the whole time. But this time, I did!”

  Shadow blinked. “You know what? You are absolutely right. I am very proud of you, Sweetie.”

  MunchMunch kneaded his toe-claws into the ground as his face and tummy grew warm.

  “Thanks.”

  ____

  The campfire was neat. He had never seen one before but he liked how it made his fur feel warm. It was also funny watching Mama flit between the shadows it cast.

  It made him feel really special and grown up when he got to sit next to his Teddy and pull food out of his own backpack, just like his Teddy was doing with his.

  Once the food was finished, MunchMunch and the others watched the fire together while the world faded to darkness. To him, it felt like they were all alone, except for the occasional Pokémon cries that came from the night.

  It wasn’t scary though, because the fire was warm and his Teddy was petting his head.

  MunchMunch happily drifted off to sleep.

  ____

  Teddy lay on his back next to the fire and stared at the night above them. The tent was just behind him, but MunchMunch had fallen asleep against his leg and Togepi was curled up on his chest.

  Which of course meant he just couldn’t move. He absent-mindedly rubbed his MunchMunch’s head, the little guy cooing in his sleep.

  Shadow had wandered off, but he knew she was keeping vigil, just as she always did.

  Somewhere, a Noctowl called, its voice carrying quietly through the night.

  Teddy smiled and stretched, the warmth of the campfire seeping through him. “G’night, Shadow,” he called drowsily.

  A soft cackle responded.

  Teddy smiled and closed his eyes.