“We all ready?” Fiona asked.

  The group was standing at the start of Route 205, making their final checks before they headed to Eterna Forest.

  “Yep!” Chloe said, “Potions, antidotes, first aid supplies, emergency hair ties, the whole lot!”

  “We're ready,” Eleanor agreed, sharing a look with Troy to make sure he had remembered his bag. The big guy wasn't looking at Eleanor though, he was noticing the extra ball on Chloe’s waist.

  “Caught something?” he asked, and Chloe nodded brightly.

  “Sure did!” Chloe said, she grabbed the ball, and released her new friend, the Bounsweet from Floaroma Meadow.

  “Guys, meet Reinette,” she said. Bounsweet, now named Reinette assuming an imperious pose in front of them.

  “Oh, she’s a cutey,” Eleanor agreed, only to receive a glare from Reinette.

  “I mean, she's very pretty and awesome?” she tried instead, and Reinette nodded with approval.

  “That reminds me,” Fiona said, “You two only have one each, right?”

  Troy and Eleanor both nodded.

  “That's right,” Eleanor confirmed.

  “Might be smart if you catch something on the way to Eterna,” Fiona said, “The more eyes the better.”

  “Hmm,” Eleanor said, considering.

  “It's a good idea,” Chloe agreed.

  “What do you think Troy?” Eleanor asked, but Troy wasn't listening.

  Instead he grabbed an empty ball from his bag, took a few steps and threw it directly at a nearby Oddish. They all stared as the ball hit the Oddish, which vanished in a flash of light. The ball rocked, and clicked.

  “Yeah!” Troy cheered, punching the air. He looked back to see the blank stares the others were giving him.

  “What?” he asked, “You said I should catch something.”

  Eleanor sighed, “We didn't mean to catch literally the first thing you saw…”

  She shook her head, “Whatever, good job Troy.”

  Chloe burst into giggles while Troy beamed. Fiona chose to ignore Troy entirely.

  “What about you?” she asked Eleanor.

  Eleanor thought for a moment, before responding.

  “I suppose it's smart, and there is something I want. Assuming you guys don't mind a short detour,” she replied.

  “Sure!” Chloe responded, “That sounds fun!”

  Fiona looked at her phone, “Valley Windworks?” she asked, and Eleanor nodded.

  “I want a Mareep,” Eleanor replied.

  “Oh Mareep are so adorable!” Chloe said, clapping her hands excitedly, “I love how fluffy they are!”

  “What about you, Fiona?” Troy asked, having finished his victory dance.

  Fiona shrugged, “I’ll pick something up in Eterna. I have a target.”

  “Then Mareep first!” Chloe said, “Let's go!”

  Valley Windworks was spectacular. It was built on the rolling hills that gently sloped upwards towards the towering peak of Mt Coronet. Dozens of gently spinning wind turbines were scattered throughout, with long grass providing a home to Pokemon.

  “This is really pretty,” Chloe said.

  Beside her, Fiona rolled her eyes, “You have said that about everything we have seen so far.”

  Chloe shrugged, “Sinnoh is gorgeous, do you want me to not mention it?”

  Fiona looked at her, before turning back to the view ahead.

  “No,” she said after a moment, “You do you Princess.”

  Chloe chose to ignore the Princess comment, instead she looked to Eleanor.

  “See any?” she asked, referring to the entire reason they had made this tour. Though, if Chloe had known the view would be so nice, she would have insisted on coming anyway.

  Eleanor lowered the pair of binoculars that she had been looking through.

  “Yeah, there's one over there,” she replied.

  “Well go get it!” Chloe enthused, pointing dramatically in the vague direction that Eleanor had been looking in.

  Eleanor didn't move, instead she squirmed awkwardly.

  “What?” Fiona asked, “Did you forget to bring Pokeballs or something?”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “No, uhh,” Eleanor began, fidgeting, “I’ve just never done it before. Caught a Pokemon that is. What if I screw it up?”

  “Don't worry El,” Troy said from where he was sitting, his new Oddish held in his hands. The big guy was examining the Grass Pokemon like it was an expensive vase, turning it this way and that.

  “It's easy,” he continued, “It's all in the elbow.”

  Eleanor, despite her embarrassment, still managed to roll her eyes at him.

  “You’re supposed to weaken them first Troy,” she countered, “You got lucky.”

  Troy shook his head, “Nah, she wanted to join. That's why she was so close.”

  Chloe blinked. She had thought he had gotten lucky too, but the statement made sense. Especially with how confidently he said it.

  Troy finished examining his Oddish, placing them down on their feet before him.

  “I’ll call you Salad,” he said.

  Eleanor groaned, Fiona guffawed, and Chloe stared.

  “At least it's better than Troy Junior…” Eleanor muttered.

  Salad however, seemed to like the name, bouncing enthusiastically around Troy.

  Fiona shrugged, “His choice. Now, Eleanor, you going to catch that Mareep or stare at Troy all day?”

  Eleanor reddened.

  “I’m not staring!” she protested, “I’m just… planning.”

  “Why do you need a plan?” Chloe asked, puzzled.

  Eleanor looked at her, and Chloe continued.

  “Just talk to it, explain what's happening, and ask if they want to join you.”

  “Chloe,” Fiona said, “Most people have to battle Pokemon to catch them. They don't just waltz up ask.”

  Chloe frowned, “Why not? It works for me.”

  “Well, yes,” Fiona admitted, “But you’re some kind of sparkly Fairy made of pure luck.”

  “I am not!” Chloe protested.

  Eleanor decided to butt in before they could start bickering.

  “I’ll try it,” she said, looking in the direction of the Mareep, “Maybe it will work.”

  “Are you sure this will work?” Eleanor asked, eying the Mareep with trepidation. Chloe, a few metres behind her nodded enthusiastically, flashing a thumbs up.

  “You’ve got this!” the blonde encouraged, smile wide. Troy likewise flashed Eleanor a victory sign, while Fiona watched with impassive curiosity.

  Eleanor took a deep breath, and approached.

  “Uhh, hello?” she asked the Mareep, who was grazing quietly, ignoring the group of trainers. It turned its head to look at her as she spoke, expression unreadable.

  “My name is Eleanor,” she said, feeling ridiculous. Mareep snorted, and went back to munching at the long grass, ignoring her. Eleanor looked back to Chloe.

  “Keep going!” Chloe mouthed, making a “get on with it” gesture.

  Eleanor squared her shoulders, and focused back on the Mareep.

  “I uhh, I’m a trainer. Sort of. I want to travel and take photos and see all sorts of places,” she said. The Mareep continued to ignore her, but one of its ears twitched in her direction, it was listening.

  “But I need to do the Gym Challenge first, and I’m, umm, well I’m not very good,” Eleanor admitted. She was realistic. She wasn't going to win the thing, but she might be able to get to the end, and that's all she needed.

  Mareep meanwhile, had turned to look at her, eyes appraising.

  Eleanor swallowed, “So, I was wondering. Umm, would you be willing to help me? I can't promise that I’ll be any good, but we will be travelling and seeing all sorts of things. If that is something you want.”

  Mareep stared, then its eyes moved to look at the others. Chloe and Troy waved.

  “Those are my friends,” Eleanor explained.

  “They uh, they're a lot better at this than me,” she admitted, then she sighed.

  “I’m sorry for bothering you,” she told the Mareep, “Chloe told me to just be honest and… well I’m sorry, I’ll go now.”

  She turned to leave, accepting defeat. It was a silly idea.

  “Maaa,” the Mareep said from behind her. Eleanor spun back around, to see the Electric Type looking at her. Then slowly, it nodded towards the Pokeballs on her belt.

  Eleanor's eyes widened.

  “Wait, you’ll come with me?” she asked in disbelief.

  It nodded, stamping its foot in an impatient gesture.

  “Well, umm, I’ll catch you now?” Eleanor asked, and Mareep nodded.

  Eleanor hesitantly tossed a Pokeball at it. The ball wobbled, and clicked. She had caught a Mareep. She stared at the Pokeball, not believing that it had been that easy.

  “Fuck me dead,” Fiona said from behind them, “That worked?”

  “I told you it would!” Chloe replied, “All you have to do is be honest!”

  The girls broke into good natured bickering, but Eleanor ignored them, staring down at the Pokeball in her hand. She had caught her first Pokemon. Echo didn't count, he had been given to her by her father. Mareep was the first she had caught herself.

  A huge hand on her shoulder had her looking up to see Troy beaming down at her.

  “Great job El!” he enthused, scooping her up into a big hug. She squeaked, face reddening.

  “Troy! Put me down!” she protested, feet dangling uselessly off the ground as he gave her a big squeeze.

  He put her down, and she stood unsteadily, face red, heart pounding, but confidence soaring.

  Now all she had to do was survive Eterna.

  “So what are you naming him?” Chloe asked curiously, watching Eleanor attempting to bond with her new Mareep. They had made camp, the detour to the Valley Windworks meaning that they would not be reaching Eterna Forest until tomorrow.

  “I’m not entirely sure,” the other girl admitted, brushing Mareep's wooly coat.

  “How about Fluffy?” Troy suggested, from where he was attempting to demonstrate his work out routine to Salad. The Oddish was enthusiastic, but lacking in dexterity, strength, arms, and well, was all round not particularly coordinated. Still, they seemed happy, and Chloe smiled at Salad’s attempts.

  Eleanor rolled her eyes.

  “I am not calling him Fluffy,” she said.

  “But it's a great name! He’s so fluffy!” Troy protested.

  “Look, you catch a Mareep, you can call him Fluffy. But I’m not doing it,” Eleanor said.

  “But what will I call you?” she muttered.

  “Lumen,” Fiona said, from her position across the camp where she sat cleaning Star’s hooves until they sparkled.

  “What?” Eleanor asked, looking at her with surprise.

  “Call him Lumen,” Fiona replied, “It fits.”

  There was silence as they all considered, before Eleanor nodded.

  “I like it,” she admitted, turning to meet the eyes of Mareep.

  “How about you?” she asked, and Mareep nodded.

  “Lumen it is,” she said.

  Chloe meanwhile, was looking at Fiona, head tilted to one side.

  “What?” Fiona challenged, meeting Chloe’s eyes.

  “Are you feeling okay Fiona?” Chloe asked, voice full of concern.

  Fiona frowned, “Yeah, why?”

  “Well,” Chloe said, “I just thought you would have suggested a name like, ‘Violence von Sparkmurder or something, you know?”

  Silence.

  Fiona stared hard at Chloe.

  Tension filled the air.

  Then Troy guffawed.

  “You’re right. She’d call him Fighty Punchface Asskicker.”

  “Deathman Woolfighter” Chloe suggested.

  “Doomsheep.”

  “Harry the Destroyer.”

  “Crunchfucker.”

  “Troy!”

  Troy and Chloe fell into giggling, while Fiona rolled her eyes.

  “Well fuck you guys too,” she said, sharing a glance with Eleanor.

  “Don't look at me,” Eleanor defended, “Troy might be my fault, but Chloe is yours.”

  “True,” Fiona replied, “But at least my bimbo is smarter than yours.”

  “I am not a bimbo!” Chloe protested, recovering from her giggles.

  “I am,” Troy added helpfully, flexing his enormous biceps.

  “That wasn't a compliment Troy,” Eleanor sighed, but he wasn't listening, committed to providing a one Troy Gunshow, while Chloe and Fiona bickered.

  Eleanor smiled, looking down at Lumen. She had been terrified when she left home a few days ago, but this trip was starting to seem like a lot of fun.

  The fun died down as the fire began to fade, and the group got ready to sleep. They decided not to bother with the tents that night, partly because the weather was fantastic, and partly because Troy had managed to lose half of his ropes. Chloe suspected Echo was to blame for that one.

  Chloe sat on her sleeping bag, brushing her hair out, Mochi dozing in her lap while Mimi kept the night watch. Her little Mawile loved being out and about at night, in no small part to the fact that she could spend her time being scary at anything that approached. Reinette meanwhile had retreated to her ball, preferring the cozy space and solitude to a snuggle.

  “Hey Fiona,” Chloe asked, a thought popping into her head.

  “Yeah?” Fiona asked, from where she was settling down next to Star, the Ponyta looking absolutely amazing in the starlight.

  “You said you had a target in mind when we got to Eterna,” Chloe asked, recalling their conversation from earlier that day.

  “What was it?”

  Fiona slipped into her sleeping bag and stretched contentedly.

  “Oh, that. Yeah, I’m after a Heracross,” she replied.

  Troy whistled from where he was stretched out in the grass.

  “Badass,” he said approvingly.

  Eleanor, set up a small distance away chimed in, “Aren't those really hard to catch?”

  Fiona lifted a hand, waving it dismissively, “Yeah, but we’ll manage. Worst comes to worst I’ll rope Chloe in to help.”

  “Of course!” Chloe replied cheerily, “Though I doubt you’ll need me.”

  She yawned, and tucked her brush away, settling down herself.

  “We’ll tackle that tomorrow,” she declared, squeezing her emotional support puff. She had heard scary things about Eterna Forest, but with the four of them together, and their new friends, she was confident it would be just as fun as the rest of the trip had been so far.