You walk down one of the routes with a Pokémon by your side, heading toward the nearest town. With plenty of Repel sprayed, wild Pokémon hardly get in your way.

Out of nowhere, something hard smacks the back of your head—a Pokéball. It stings, but at least it doesn't activate.

"Ah—whoa! Sorry, sorry!"

You turn around to see a boy in a backward black cap with a yellow stripe running down the middle, rushing toward you with his hands raised in a frantic wave. His eyes widen with alarm, but an unmistakable sheepish grin tugs at his lips.

"I totally didn't mean to do that! My aim's usually way better than this, I swear!"

He scratches the back of his head, laughing awkwardly before bending down to pick up the rogue Pokéball.

"Uh, you're not mad, right? No hard feelings?" His grin turns a little nervous as he glances at you, ready to bolt if necessary.