Hey peoples! I know, it's a miracle that I'm updating. Well, I don't have much to say here, so enjoy.

Disclaimer: I only own Sky.

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A few hours later, Sky, Brock, Misty, and Ash were all gently paddling down the calm river. Pikachu and Togepi sat up front, holding a lantern to light the forest ahead of them. And to add to the glistening river, forest itself was beautiful. The night was as clear as could be, the trees looked healthy and nothing seemed to be breaking the serenity. Besides, a song of the nighttime woodland filled their ears with its sweet, sweet melody. It was the perfect time for a canoe ride.

"You know, I'm kind of glad we missed the bus, Brock." Misty said after a moment. "The current's doing most of the work and the water's crystal clear." At this Sky chuckled with a smirk.

"It's fine by me, but if I were you, I wouldn't be so happy about this particular river." She said looking back at her redheaded companion.

"Why's that?" Misty questioned.

"Well, Ash told me how much you hate Bug Pokemon" Sky paused for a moment adding dramatic effect, Ash grinned sheepishly as Misty glared at him "and nice clean water is exactly what Bug Pokemon love! In fact, the Purity Canyon area is known for the large number of Bugs living here." She finished.

To all of their surprise Misty smiled. "That's fine, because this is one night I won't let Bug Pokemon bug me." She said. Sky smirked again.

"Whatever you say." The teen commented.

"I say bring on the Bugs!" Misty chimed with glee and confidence.

Suddenly, Ash said, "Hey, look!" and pointed at a tree with blinking red lights. "It's a Christmas tree!" he said, amazement in his voice.

Sky stared at him with an expression that said, 'you gotta be kidding me'.

"That's no Christmas tree….is it, Brock?" Misty asked.

"Not quite," Brock answered. "It's a flock of Ledian. They glow like that on clear starry nights." As the canoe passed the tree, Sky smiled. She knew Ledyba was exited to evolve into one of them someday, and now she could see why.

Misty gazed at them mystified. "Ledian, huh? You know, I think I'm starting to like Bugs." She swooned. But her little moment was short-lived as the group came upon a HUGE hoard of Kakuna and Weedle.

"These are cool Kakuna." Ash mused.

"Yeah, really awesome." Sky said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a bunch of Beedrill." Brock informed. As he said this, four Beedrill buzzed over. Misty let out a loud screech and paddled back up the river, heedless of the others' protests.

After a bunch of panicing courtesy of Misty and I-told-you-so-ing from Sky, they were all back at the lodge, Misty was leaning against the rail with her head leaning back.

"You should've mentioned you don't like Bug Pokemon." Luna sympathetically. Sky wasn't at all shocked by Misty's reaction. She used to despise bugs too, at least until she learned how loyal and important they can be.

"Sorry, next time you'll know." Misty sighed. She was truly exasperated by the paddling she had to endure. Even though adrenalin super-charges your body, it still takes a toll on your body later.

"Is there any other way to get across the valley?" Ash asked.

"I know there's one." Brock said with his arms crossed

"What?" Misty asked.

"There!" Brock replied, whipping around and pointing up to the mountain. Everyone followed his arm. "We can go straight over the top of Mount Queyna!"

"Oh, I don't think you want to take that route, Brock…" Luna said.

"Why?" Ash asked. "Is it too hard to get up there?"

"Mount Queyna is the highest mountain in the whole Johto Region." Luna answered. "At the top of the mountain is Clarity Lake. It goes on for miles and miles, and the water is incredibly clean and clear. It's beautiful, but humans could never live there. The high altitude and climate even keep visitors away. The only ones that live up there are some wild Pokemon; types that can thrive in the extreme conditions."

"Well," Ash said. "If there are Pokemon up there, I say we go."

Sky wasn't pay at all attention to the conversation; she was looking up at Mount Quena. There was just something about it that simply hypnotized her. All she could tell though, there was something big coming up, and the canyon was at the center of it all…

Ash had walked up to Sky unnoticed and surprised her. "Whoa, easy, it's just me." He said when she was about to punch him.

" Oh, hi Ash. I was just thinking is all." She said leaning against the wall deep in thought again.

" Hey, I was wondering, that burn of yours…does it ever hurt?" He asked. Sky was surprised that he would ask something like that.

" Only if it's irritated enough, or if I apply too much pressure. That would really trigger it." She replied, with a smile. Sky was never the type to stay in an angry or depressing mood. She also sure knows how to ruin one, that was for sure. " Don't you just hate it when you have a little bug bite that itches like crazy and you can't find it?" She said out of the blue. Ash just stared at her like she had just gone psychotic.

"Hey, look up there!" Misty said. Everyone followed her gaze to the night sky. "Guys, check this out!" she told them excitedly. A flock of Butterfree that were silhouettes against the moon were flying over Mt. Queyna.

"It's a flock of Butterfree!" Ash exclaimedand Togepi squeeked happily.

Luna nodded, and said, "Some people say the Butterfree come to lay their eggs on Mount Queyna." Sky smiled.

Hmm…. those Butterfree don't know how lucky they truly are…or do they? Maybe they chime so happily because they know that their freedom is valuable but short-lived so they cherish while they can….I wonder…

"I sure would like to see the place those Butterfree are headed." Brock said. Sky nodded and continued to watch the Butterfree until they disappeared behind the cliffs of the massive canyon.

There was a knock on the door and a shrill voice called through, "Good morning!"

"A visitor? At this hour?" Misty muttered after regaining her breath. Luna went to answer and standing in the doorway was a blonde girl in a purple and white hat, red sweater, and green pants.

"I said good-morning, 'cause even though it's after midnight, if I said good-night, you might go to bed!" She giggled. Sky looked at her with wide eyes.

"We're sorry to come here so late," the man next to the girl said. "But we need a place to stay for the night. Oh, by the way, my name is Cullen Calix." Luna's eyes widened, apparently recognizing the name.

"I know that name! You're the famous researcher and professor of medicine!" She said

"That's right," Cullen said. "And if I'm not mistaken, you're Luna Carson. I've read dozens of your research papers on Pokemon! It's a real pleasure to finally meet you out last!" Cullen said in the same amazed tone as Luna.

"Please, come in," Luna said while stepping away from the door.

"Research papers?" Sky questioned.

Luna closed the door. "Working for the bus station is only my part-time job," she explained. "I'm actually here studying native Pokemon in their habitats."

"Oh, wow!" the girl said. "I can't believe I'm meeting the Luna Carson! I'm like a totally off the hook fan of yours! I wanna be just like you when I get old!"

Luna gaped a little, her face bewildered "Great. And you are who?"

"This is Domino," Cullen introduced. "She works for the Pokemon Institute,"

"Hi, everybody," Domino said waving a little and a too-cute smile plastered on her face.

"Oh, Domino," Brock said kneeling in front of her. "What a beautiful name! So black-and-white, yet so playful," He grabbed her hands. "Please, let's find a quiet spot to line up and find out if we're a match."

Domino sweatdropped and Misty grabbed Brock by the ear, asking, "Haven't you learned by now that you shouldn't play if you can't win?" Sky walked up to Domino while shaking her head at Brock.

"Hi, I'm Sky Avalon, it's nice to meet you." She said while shaking Domino's hand with a welcoming smile. Domino gave a high-pitched squeel.

"Oh, wow! You're the heir to the great Avalon Ranch! I can't believe you're here of all places!" Domino said excitedly if not a little obnoxiously…Sky stood a little bewildered herself from Domino shaking her hand so vigorously.

All right, this chick is scary…She thought while fixing her glasses.

Don't worry, Sky, Domino scares me too…..Anyways, I'll try and update more often now that summer is almost among us!! HUZZAH!!!! Well, that'll be all! 'Till next time folks!!