Guide You Along (Private)

[PhantomPhan]

Ariana and Natalie couldn't help but to laugh as they were pulled along.

"Samantha, we've got the rest of our lives to see all this!" Ariana cried, still laughing. "I know it's beautiful and all but you don't wanna tire yourself out, do you?"

[CottonFluff]

Unsurprisingly, the small child didn't care - she was super excited and wanted to get going now! She walked with them off towards the tall grass at the exit of town; the classic starting path up Route 1 to Viridian City.

"Was this where you caught your first Pokemon, Ariana? I mean, after you got your first one from Professor Oak" she asked curiously. "Actually, what was your first Pokemon? I know you have a Charizard and an Ivysaur, but which did you pick up originally - Charmander or Bulbasaur?"

She continued walking towards the tall graas, distracted by her conversation and chatter with the older Trainer. Luckily her hands were still in Ariana's and her mothers to prevent her from going too far ahead of them.

[PhantomPhan]

Ariana laughed at how fast Samantha was shooting out her questions. The child certainly had a lot of energy.

"Yeah, I caught my first Pokemon here. I picked Bulbasaur originally."

[CottonFluff]

Samantha smiled. "Well, she seems really nice. I'm glad she's still your friend." The little girl stopped just a few feet from the edge of town and took a deep breath, gripping her Squirtle's Poke Ball tightly.

"Can we go now?" she asked with a mixed tone of excitement and nervousness. She really wanted to get started, but she wanted to make sure she had permission too - once they started, she'd have to try her best to be a great Pokemon Trainer.

[PhantomPhan]

Natalie let go of Samantha's hand and moved to stand behind her daughter. Ariana realised what she was doing and moved back also.

"Why don't you take the first step, sweetie?" Natalie suggested, putting her hands on Samantha's shoulders.

[CottonFluff]

Samantha nodded and took one big first step. The grass rustled gracefully, giving a new and tingling feeling against her shoes and jeans. It was intoxicating, and so very enjoyable... she was on an adventure! After all these years of dreaming an praying she was doing it now!

She scampered ahead in the grass about 30 feet before turning around and waving at her mommy and Ariana.

"Come on! Let's go!"

[PhantomPhan]

The two ladies sprinted to the child, both smiling widely at her.

"Ohh, I'm so proud of my little Pokemon Trainer!" Natalie exclaimed, kissing Samantha's cheek. She was just bursting with pride.

Maybe, if they ever ran into Samantha's father, he would realise just how amazing his daughter was? It was a low possibility of it happening, but Natalie so wanted it to happen. For her ex-husband to be who he used to be... it would be a dream come true. And hopefully, Samantha being a Pokemon Trainer would change his opinion about his daughter.

[CottonFluff]

Samantha gave her mommy a big hug, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm gonna be the bestest trainer, I promise mommy! I'm gonna make you proud and you're gonna be so happy!"

The little girl truly believed that, and she couldn't wait to see what the future awaited her. It was going to be quite a learning and growing experience for her, but as long as she had her mommy, best friend, and Pokemon with her, she felt lie she could take on the world.

[PhantomPhan]

Natalie hugged her daughter back lovingly. "Oh, sweetie, I already told you that I'm proud of you, remember?"

"For what it's worth, Samantha, I'm proud of you, too," Ariana added. "You're so different to the rude, little girl that I met yesterday."

[CottonFluff]

Samantha giggled weakly. "Sorry about that... you kinda just caught me in a bad mood and I felt like you were bullying me... thankfully you're a lot nicer. I feel really bad about spitting at yo-"

Sam suddenly covered her mouth in a bit of a panic. Spitting at someone was another thing that was very much so not acceptable to her Mother - who was standing right next to her.