Team Plasma and Cheren
So, I found that Herdier, but it wasn't just lost. This guy claiming to be from some organization called Team Plasma had taken it into the forest. I'm assuming he was attempting to kidnap it (he said "liberate" like he was some whacked out animal rights activist or some shit). Anyway, after I told him I'd never heard of Team Plasma, he got pretty pissed off and ran away. Real mature. Anyway, after those shenanigans I headed back to my hometown and challenged the new Gym Leader there. Cheren is a nice guy, and the trainers under him were friendly enough. Still, Ian and Portnoy stole the show and took them all out. These guys really pull through and surprise me sometimes. Cheren gave me my first badge and now I'm considering heading for the next gym. I think he said it was in Virbank City...