Ray quit fighting with his Toto.  If his mon wants to chew rocks,  [i]Well I'll let him...[/i] he was exasperated, at his toto's weird taste in 'food.'  

Ray noticed that he was not the only one surprised at the new girls arrival, it seemed some reacted the way he did when sterling comforted the girl and others seemed a little confused.  [i]Whoever she is, she is probably a cool person.[/i]  He thought as he pondered about her.  

Then he blinked his eyes and was brought back to reality, by Flora's voice as he explained about their trip to route 1.  "Pokemon on the weaker side"  [i]Pfft.  I don't care, every pokemon has the potential to be awesome-and I'll prove it.[/i]

Ray then walked with Flora and the others towards the wild world.  Within a short time, through new terrain and an entirely new area to Ray, he found himself in a wooded area.  There was a lot of foliage and bushes and tall grasses.  

[i]This looks like fun,  I'm going to explore.[/i]

Without saying a word to anyone else, he wandered deeper into the forest.  Then he saw a small figure rush through the grass nearby him.  [i]You are mine.[/i]  He threw the pokeball that Flora had given him at it.  His eyes widened as he wondered if he caught it.