**Chapter 3: Meeting a Friendly Face**

As Taro lay on the forest floor, trying to catch his breath and process the strange events that had just transpired, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned his head, watching warily as a young woman with long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes emerged from the trees. She was dressed in a pair of durable pants and a white tank top, with a backpack slung over her shoulder and a confident smile on her face. "Hey there, are you okay?" she asked, crouching down beside Taro. "You look like you've had a bit of a rough time." Taro's instincts told him to be cautious, but there was something about the woman's warm smile and gentle tone that put him at ease. He nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "Y-yes, I'm fine," he stuttered. "Just a little...disoriented." The woman nodded sympathetically. "I'm Lily," she said. "I'm a Pokémon trainer. And you are...?" Taro hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He had no idea who he was or where he came from, let alone how he had ended up in this strange new world. "I...I don't know," he admitted, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. Lily's expression softened. "Don't worry, it's not uncommon for travelers to get lost in the forest," she said. "But I have to say, you're not from around here, are you?" Taro shook his head, feeling a sense of wonder. "I don't think so," he said. "I don't recognize anything. What...what is this place?" Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is the Johto region," she said. "It's a wonderful place, full of amazing Pokémon and incredible landscapes. And you're lucky to be here, because it's not every day that we get to meet someone new." Taro's mind reeled as he tried to process this information. The Johto region? Pokémon? It all sounded like something out of a fantasy novel. Lily seemed to sense his confusion. "Don't worry, I'll help you figure things out," she said. "But first, let's get you cleaned up and fed. You look like you could use a break." With that, Lily helped Taro to his feet and led him to a nearby Pokémon Center. As they walked, Taro couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards this kind stranger. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing, and he found himself trusting her implicitly. As they entered the Pokémon Center, Taro was struck by the bustling activity inside. There were Pokémon of all shapes and sizes, from small Pidgey to large Tauros, all being tended to by the Center's staff. Lily led him to a quiet corner, where a friendly-looking nurse was waiting with a warm smile. "Hi there, I'm Nurse Joy," she said. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center. What seems to be the problem?" Lily filled in the nurse, explaining Taro's situation and how he had ended up in the forest. The nurse listened attentively, nodding her head. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of him," she said. "In the meantime, why don't you tell me a bit more about yourself, Taro?" Taro hesitated, unsure of where to start. But with Lily's encouragement, he began to open up, sharing his story and his confusion about this strange new world. As he spoke, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. For the first time since his arrival, he felt like he was among friends.