A/N First gym battle. It's fairly simple, and we get to see a new member after this. I don't like Brock swooning over women, so I kind of tweaked that out. We'll see what happens. Brock's going to be a bit OOC here, I apologize.

As always, I'll try my best to update faster. And I started using the word Puppets more, simply because it is more friendly to readers and I am too lazy to paste the accent e. There will be more instances of Puppet language, though.

And I tweaked Suika's drink because of fanfic rating. Also, to keep things short, Sanae forgets the ordinary battles very easily, so only important battles are detailed.


I opened my eyes to the slowly intensifying rays of the rising sun. Wriggle had gotten ready for our agenda today, as I could see water dripping from her green, short hair. As for Lanetta... she was still asleep.

Never mind. I'll wake her up after I use the shower!

And so, I went into the shower and woke up my half-asleep body with cool water. When I got out, I found Wriggle trying to wake Lanetta up.

"Lanetta, we're ready, so if you would please wake up... I want to battle..." Wriggle pulled on her dress.

Wriggle's so excited...

"I don't think she will wake up if you speak that softly." I replied bluntly to her.

"Then, will this work?" Wriggle summoned two beautiful butterflies which circled on Lanetta's face.

"Buzzzzzzzz..."

Lanetta opened her eyes slowly. "What's that bug... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Waking up to large, pretty butterflies certainly wasn't the best idea. But Wriggle nailed it.

"Gosh, next time, don't wake me up with that unorthodox method! I almost died!" She screamed.

"The bugs don't eat humans... you won't die." Wriggle helplessly replied.

"You realize our Trainer is easily shocked, right..." I tried to explain some sense into Wriggle.

Lanetta tried to get out from the bed normally, but she was still shocked that she jumped onto the floor and landed with a spectacular crash.

"Lanetta! This is not a swimming pool!" I yelled at her.

Wriggle helped her get up. Luckily, she suffered no injuries. I didn't want our plans for today to be ruined due to this awkward morning.

"First, I apologize for being late! Second, I know you two are raring to go, so please let me get ready!" Lanetta exclaimed to us, and went to take a morning shower.

She's not late. It's just us being overly excited for a serious battle. Fighting that fairy ambush was a lot of experience.

A few minutes later, our Trainer got ready. We walked out of our room and stopped by the dining hall for breakfast.

"Before anything, we need some nutrition punch!" Lanetta exclaimed. "Don't you agree, girls?"

Wriggle nodded enthusiastically. I gave her a thumb up.

The menu was all about bread, so we had fun creating various sandwiches and sharing them together. We used toppings from eggs to yogurt (Lanetta decided to put yogurt instead of mustard on hers, and it was actually delicious).

After the light but filling meal, we walked out to the Gym and Lanetta told us about the Gym Leader. His name was Brock, and he was a very nice person with very narrow eyes.

The Gym was beautifully sculpted from rocks, and the interior was also rocky. There were rock walls to climb, sand pits to travel through, and various spots for rock smashing. Nobody was inside at the moment, except for a chibi Suika, a chibi Yuugi, and a young man wearing clothes similar to a mine worker. They were busy tidying up rocks.

"Good morning, Trainer! Are you here for a challenge, or for some training?" The young man greeted us from above. He was standing on a huge, flat rock.

The two Puppets approached us happily. "Welcome to Pewter Gym!" They said in unison.

"Hello, Brock! I didn't think I would meet you again after the meeting with Professor Oak, but here I am, as a challenger. I hope you remembered me!" Lanetta greeted the man back.

The man matched Lanetta's description: short frizzy hair and very narrow eyes. He looked a bit surprised at first, but he quickly regained composure. "Ah, Lanetta, is that correct? Of course I would remember a potential legend in Pokémon research. Well, maybe Bonéka research now. I'll accept your challenge in just a minute, after the Oni and I are done preparing the training grounds."

Training grounds? So we don't just battle here?

"Okay then, take your time, Brock! I want to see the features of this Gym too." Lanetta then took off and circled through the area.

"Excuse me sir, what are you doing with the rocks here?" Wriggle questioned all the cracked rocks in the vicinity.

"You seeeee, thissss issss annnn Eaaaarth Gyyymmmm..." The chibi Suika tried to explain. The chibi Yuugi put her hands on the Suika's mouth and she stopped speaking in that weird sleepy, lethargic voice.

"Let me explain it for you! This Gym is an Earth Gym. Earth type Puppets have strong physical attributes. In a Gym, people and Bonéka train and challenge the Leaders. We are simply preparing the training grounds as the first thing we do for the day. Here, Trainers can simulate the battle by breaking rocks and traveling through soft ground." Yuugi enlightened us.

"Such great explanation, Yuugi! Have you finished tidying up the rock beds on the lower parts?" Brock shouted from above.

"Just a little more and we'll be done, sir! You may open the battleground now." Yuugi shouted back. "But Suika's getting a bit overdosed on coke and is on a sugar drop, will you let her battle like that?"

"Heey, I'mm starrting tooo get settleeedd... Doon't mind meee~" Suika finally spoke up after Yuugi removed her hand.

"Don't worry, our challenger is skilled enough to handle her fists, I'm sure of it! No harm will be done." Brock reassured his Puppet. "The battleground's open, girls! Now you can climb up. I want to see your lovely spirits!"

With a press of a large button on the wall, an enormous mat opened up from the cliff Brock was standing on. He scooted over to avoid getting slammed by the mat, and a referee came down from a flight of stairs which opened up from the cliff behind this one, which was even taller.

Lanetta located the stairs to the battleground after circling around the Gym, and took Wriggle's and my hand. We stepped on the stairs together. At last, we reached the battleground, which had a distinct Miko Orb pattern; red on Brock's side and white on our side.

This is our debut. Turns out the atmosphere in the Gym is very nice, and the Oni Puppets who will fight us are also very nice. I thought the people here will be cruel.

"Let us begin. Challenger, please state your name and the Puppets who will battle. You are allowed a maximum of 2 Puppets." The referee greeted us, holding some paperwork on his left hand and a pen on his right.

"Very well. I am Lanetta Lavender Laein. I will battle using a chibi Sanae and a chibi Wriggle." Lanetta started.

"All right, I will explain the battle rules before we start. This Gym battle will be a moveset battle. Puppets are allowed to use their moves as much as they like until all Puppets from one side have been knocked out. If Lanetta defeats all of the Leader's Puppets, she will obtain the Boulder Badge. If she loses, she may challenge again after one week from her loss." The referee continued after writing down details on his papers.

He paused for a moment. "Are both sides ready?" He asked.

"Yes!" Both Brock and Lanetta exclaimed, and we Puppets took stances beside our Trainers.

"Then, let the battle commence!" The referee lifted his right hand.

"All right Suika, let's begin!" Brock commanded. The almost sugar-crashed Oni flew into the battle area. "Yesss, sir!"

"Firefly, let's go!" Lanetta replied in earnest. "On it!" Wriggle stretched her four wings and buzzed straight towards the arena.

Our situation is kind of funny. Wriggle has the type advantage but no moves to utilize it. I have a Native move, though. Let's see what Lanetta plans to do. Since it's a moveset battle, we rely on her command.

"Let's get to the point Suika! Rock Throw!" Brock commanded.

"Firefly, Quick Attack!"

Wriggle zipped toward the Suika and hit her, launching the rock she was holding astray. The rock fell into the ground without harming anything.

"Thaaat's unfaair..." Suika screamed, rubbing her hit arm.

"Don't worry Suika! We'll get her next time." Brock tried to reassure her. Yuugi moved her hands as of cheering her fellow Oni. I kept watching Wriggle with intent.

"I guess we're off a good start! Another Quick Attack, Firefly!"

"Suika, let's do what you can. Seismic Toss!"

Wriggle connected her attack, but Suika got her in her arms and tossed her reaaaaaaaaally high.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Wriggle was too shocked to get her wings going. When she did, though, she had crashed onto the ground.

"Firefly, you all right? That's a high fall!" Lanetta shouted.

"Don't mind us, Lanetta! We're waiting for your next order!" Wriggle got up and buzzing.

"Suika, Minimize!"

"Sadly, we have a counter for that! Faint Attack!"

"Gyaaaaah!" The small Suika yelled in agony as her body was struck by a head-on crash from Wriggle.

"Suika, don't give up! Karate Chop!" Brock gave his command again. This time, her chop hit Wriggle's right shoulder pretty badly.

"Ouch!" Wriggle yelled.

"Firefly, just a little more! Faint Attack!" Lanetta commanded after seeing her Puppet flinch.

"Suika, Seismic-" Brock's words were cut short as Wriggle managed to tackle Suika with all her might.

"I'm soooorryyy siiiirrr..." Suika squealed in pain before she came crashing to the ground.

Poor Suika.

The Referee lifted his right hand. "Suika is unable to battle!"

"Everything is still the same..." Lanetta commented on the referee's style.

"Why yes, the League decided nothing needed a change. All right Suika, you did well. I'll bring you to the bench." Brock lifted Suika out of the battleground and put her on the bench behind. That bench was exclusively placed for Puppets who were not battling, I think.

"Yuugi, you may enter." Brock spoke to the little Oni, who observed Suika for a bit and sighed in relief when Suika regained consciousness.

Yuugi ran towards the center of the battleground. "Great job there Wriggle. I'm looking forward to fight you, but I will leave that to your Trainer's discretion."

"Lanetta, may we switch? I think something's wrong with my shoulder..." Wriggle turned to Lanetta.

Ouch, that must have hurt. She was struck on the shoulder joint, which is bone all over. Bones hitting bones will certainly hurt.

"Okay then. Esoterica, your turn!" Lanetta walked to pick Wriggle up, and I approached the battleground.

"We're sorry Yuugi... maybe we can spar some other time." Wriggle replied to the single-horned Oni while Lanetta was carrying her back.

"It's fine, Suika's hands are extremely solid. You'll want to get your shoulder examined." Yuugi smiled at her.

Brock returned to his position. "Let's resume, shall we?"

Yuugi and I faced each other. We greeted with a bow and took our position in the arena.

"All right Yuugi. Magnitude!" Brock started the command.

"Esoterica, use Nature Power!" Lanetta replied.

I couldn't dodge the magnitudes because it has good accuracy. So, i jumped in rhythm with the magnitudes. I launched balls of nature energy to Yuugi, and some of them hit. But then I tripped on the shaky ground and fell on my face.

"Umpfh!" I spat out some dirt in my mouth. I got up and saw Yuugi recovering from my attack.

"Yuugi, good! Now, let's do something else... Karate Chop!" Brock continued his command.

"Esoterica, Nature Power! You can't dodge her, so you need to make it even!"

Yep. I can't dodge her. But I need to direct her attack to a part which does not cripple me much...

I launched more nature energy and stretched my arm to take the chop Yuugi was throwing. Her chop hit, making me flinch. Then the balls of energy collided into her, and she fell to her knees.

It's a super effective attack, so it should deal quite a lot of damage. And yes, the chop hurt. No wonder Wriggle was screaming.

"Oof!" Yuugi tried to get back up. I balanced myself and prepared to launch another command from Lanetta.

"Yuugi, can you still fight?" Brock asked his staggering Puppet.

"I can, sir! Just one moment...!" The Oni finally got up and lifted her arms into the air.

"Yuugi, Magnitude. Don't charge yourself into that nature attack again."

"Esoterica, we have no choice. Nature Power!"

"Lanetta, you sure I won't fall again?" I looked at her and replied. A few scratches were on my face and body due to the first fall and they would get worse If I fell again.

"I'm sorry, but this is the best course of action. I can't risk you pounding her in the midst of a magnitude, and you can't hit her with Gust."

I nodded and started creating the energy clusters.

Yuugi fired her magnitude. It was far more intense than the previous one. I couldn't concentrate to fire since everything was shaking. Finally I fired a Nature Power, but the magnitudes were so intense that I flopped and fell right on my back.

"Ouch, my back!" I screamed. The ground was still shaking, which worsened the pain I felt.

"Gosh, a Magnitude 10... Esoterica! You okay?" Lanetta yelled with a worried tone.

"Feel Yuugi's power! Yuugi, use Magnitude again-"

"Gaaaahhh!"

Yuugi cried loudly, presumably due to the Nature Power I fired to her. I couldn't see since the ground was wrecked and I couldn't get up yet. I kept attempting to get up. When I did rose to my feet, Yuugi was falling to the ground, unconscious.

"Yuugi is unable to battle!" The Referee laid his judgment.

We did it. We suffered quite painful hits, but we won.

"Well, well. Yuugi, good job. We'll celebrate when you get better." Brock took Yuugi in his arms. Suika flew to see her friend's condition.

"Yaaaaaayyy! We won!" Lanetta did a victory dance. She then picked me up as well.

"Congratulations for your victory. Here is the Boulder Badge." Brock gave Lanetta a gray pin in the shape of an octagon. Lanetta put it in a special case she took out from her bag.

"It was a good battle, Brock. Thanks for the Badge!" Lanetta replied and bowed.

"Are you leaving soon? If possible, please stay for a moment for lunch. I will cook for every pretty and powerful ladies here!"

"No, we can stay for lunch. Are you serious you're going to cook, Brock?" Lanetta was surprised.

"Heeyy, our Trainneerrr cooookssss wondeeeerrrsss..." Suika apparently got drunk again.

"Well, yeah. If it's not good, you can blame it on me. Let's go upstairs." Brock led us into the tallest cliff, which has a door.

We followed his lead into a large, gray-painted dining room with rocky decorations and recipes on the wall directly inside the door. Each of us, including Suika and Yuugi, took a seat.

"It's an honor for me to serve authentic cuisine to these powerful ladies," Brock muttered, opening a large pot. Steam came out of the pot, signifying that it had just boiled. He took out bowls and began serving a thick, creamy stew. After all the bowls were on the table, he opened a large steamer and took out rice in smaller bowls. He proceeded to place the rice bowls on the large, round table.

Finally, he sat down and began. "Let's eat!"

All of us dug in. Brock made a traditional beef stew with potatoes and carrots. The stock was a perfect balance between sweet and salty, with the beef flavor as the dominant taste. He was an excellent cook, just like what the Puppets said.

"We have never tasted stew this good! We gladly offer our compliment!" Wriggle exclaimed.

"Wow, Brock, you weren't lying. This thing is delicious!" Lanetta seconded.

"How do you make this, Brock?" I decided to ask for the recipe because the others have stated that it was so delicious. It sort of drove away the fatigue from battle.

Suika and Yuugi were busy eating. Brock ordered Yuugi to take the recipe from the fridge, and she swiped it in a flash and gave it to me.

"Here is the recipe I use. You can sustitute the meat and vegetables, it works the same. Just make sure that the meats are well cooked before you add the veggies." Brock commented. Yuugi resumed eating.

Wow, this recipe is so detailed. Brock even put both measurement units on it. And this must be his handwriting. He is a special guy.

"Thank you, Brock!" I replied. We finished eating and helped Brock with the dishes.

"Brock, we will be taking our leave now. Thank you for the hospitality!" Lanetta said her farewell.

"You are most welcome! I wish you luck for your adventure! Until we meet again!"

And so, we left and went into the Center to get a check-up after the battle. Lanetta waited in the lobby.

We were in a treatment room with three Eirin. First, I told the Eirin about the magnitude and how I (spectacularly) fell on my back. One chibi Eirin started working on me.

"Did you get hit by Karate Chop from the Leader's Suika?" One of the other Eirin in the treatment room questioned Wriggle.

"Yes..." Wriggle helplessly replied as the chibi Eirin used her healing power to fix Wriggle's shoulder. It must hurt so badly, since Wriggle, someone I know do not give in to pain easily, was almost crying.

"Wriggle..."

"Sanae, you don't seem to suffer from major injuries. Do you have any other complaints?" Another Eirin had finished treating my back, which was hit by a Magnitude 10.

Then I remembered something. It was about my dizzy spells. I was really clueless about that. I told the Eirin about it.

"Ah, that. You see, it's similar to us Eirin. She has our kin's power of healing, but I don't." Eirin pointed to her friend, who was trying to lessen Wriggle's suffering.

"So, does it mean that I have my kin's power? But why can't I use it?" I asked again.

"We don't really understand how Sanaes' power works, since few Sanae have it. It is called Bright Vision Stars. If it is Lunacy Tuning, we can offer advice on it, but I can't help you right now. I apologize."

I don't even know that thing has a name. For Lunacy Tuning, since it is one of the most famous powers due to its abilities to turn minds insane, virtually all Puppets understand.

"Maybe you need to wait. The Great Sister will notice Puppets with difficulties regarding their powers. She will then direct the Puppet to develop it. At least, that is what happens to us Eirin." She continued.

"I'm sure that Bright Vision Stars is essentially the ability to see events from the future or near future. I once treated a Sanae in a different Center who was collapsing due to dizziness. We first thought of it as low blood pressure, but turns out it was just an instance when the Sanae had not mastered the ability." The Eirin who was healing Wriggle spoke up. Wriggle was not screaming anymore. "Unfortunately, it is as what my friend had said. To answer questions about Puppet powers, the one with the most answers is the respective Honored or Great Sister."

This means I need to communicate with her. But I don't know how to... She has her own duties in Gensokyo which she can't neglect. That is one of the reasons why there are few Sanae Puppets. Maybe someday...

The other Eirin then proceeded to treat our minor cuts and escorted us out to meet Lanetta.

"It was a bit long, is everything fine now?" Lanetta questioned us.

"For a new Trainer fighting the first Gym, your Puppets did not suffer much damage, Lanetta. A lot of Trainers lose a Puppet in the Gym." Nurse Ei smiled.

Lanetta's face was painted with horror.

"Lose a Puppet? You mean... a Puppet was killed, Nurse Ei?"

The Eirin spoke up. "Gym Leaders try their best to prevent deaths, but unfortunately, some Puppets received serious injuries and did not make it in time. Part of them were the result of accidents, but the rest resulted from the Trainer's negligence."

So there are bad Trainers like that.

"By the way, Nurse Ei, other than serving the front line, what do the nurses do?" Wriggle popped a question.

"Wow, finally a Puppet asked about that. I am starting to think that Puppets only regard the nurses as frontline greeters. We nurses generally perform the greetings because Trainers feel more comfortable talking to humans than Puppets. Besides that, we check on the Puppets who are admitted into the inpatient section upstairs. Some Centers also provide medical service for Trainers; for example, this Center has several chambers for Trainers upstairs. Most importantly, we nurses are trained for emergencies. Our Puppets also handle emergencies, but some cases can traumatize Eirin. You will know more about this if you visit the Puppet Center in Three Island town on Kin Island." Nurse Ei gave an extremely long explanation.

"Oh, now we understand. But, even Eirin can be traumatized?" Wriggle looked surprised.

The Eirin Puppet clarified. "In Kin Island, the Hourai Puppets live there. They frequently execute forest attacks, and some attacks involve the native Eirin there. Many Eirin felt guilty after catalyzing a forest attack, and a lot of Eirin ended their lives."

Nurse Ei then continued, "The Nurse Ei on Three Island regularly scouted for those Eirin, and she will take them up to become Puppet nurses as atonement. Then, she will direct the Eirin to other Centers across Kanto and the Sevii Islands. The Nurse Ei on Three Island is known to the League as the greatest Nurse of all time."

After hearing that thorough explanation and thanking the nurses, we left the Center. Lanetta broughtus to the Supply Store to stock up supplies such as medicines and Miko Orbs.

"We're going through a tunnel in Mount Moon, so we should be prepared." She said, carrying the items outside to be sorted out in the bag.

"By the way, Lanetta, how do Trainers get money?" I questioned her whilst helping to sort the items.

"By defeating other Trainers. Brock gave me an envelope together with the badge. Winning a Gym battle gives a Trainer a substantial amount of money. If a Trainer loses, they pay money to the winner. But, the League does not charge losing Trainers. So, if we were to meet another Trainer and agreed to battle, if we lose, we pay them an agreed amount of money. But, if a Trainer lost against Brock, they will not lose money. Oh, yeah, at the beginning of the journey, Trainers are given some money together with their Trainer Card."

After that, we went to the market to stock up food for our journey. Lanetta predicted that we would reach the next city in a week or so. She bought a little more in case a new Puppet joined out team. She bought hardy vegetables and pre-cooked meats which could last on a journey.

While we were walking on the streets of the market, Wriggle found a piece of paper. The writing Recollection "Terrible Souvenir" was scribbled on it. She kept it in her pocket and planned to show Lanetta when they finished shopping.

"Okay girls, our shopping is done! Now, let's go! To Route 3!" Lanetta ran again.

"Yeah!" Wriggle was very excited.

I didn't like the idea of Lanetta running around like a small child, but I tried to put my best face for her. Despite all the flaws, she is a good Trainer.

We reached Route 3 by running. Several Trainers were there, training and battling each other and with the wild Puppets.

We did get into a few battles, and all of them involved a spam of Quick Attack or Gust. Lanetta kept winning the battles.

In the evening, a Puppet Center was within sight near an entrance on a mountain.

"That entrance is to Mount Moon." Lanetta pointed at the big hole. "For now, let's go into the Center!"

We went into the Center. There were many Trainers and Puppets there. Most of the Puppets are Nazrin, Mystia, and Chen. Lanetta picked an empty sofa to sit on, and Wriggle and I followed her.

"By the way, Lanetta, we found this when we were in the market." Wriggle showed the piece of paper.

"A terrible souvenir? That doesn't sound very pleasant..." She remarked.

"Yeah... I am willing to bet that this spell card belongs to a powerful youkai." I added.

"Again, what is a youkai?" Lanetta asked that question again.

Wriggle answered, "A youkai is a being which is basically not human. Youkai here have forms similar to humans, but they usually have specific characteristics. Mystia and I have wings, Chen and Rin have cat ears and tails, and others. Though some other youkai like Meiling or Yukari look perfectly human. The only way to find out if it is a youkai or not is finding out whether they eat humans."

I thought I would add into Wriggle's explanation. "Youkai nowadays do not eat humans as much because of Gensokyo's laws, and we do not care if someone is a human or youkai. As a general rule, youkai are strong in the night and humans in the day. Some humans are unaffected by the night, and diurnal youkai do exist."

I had finished explaining when a Hiker approached us. "Excuse me, did you say 'terrible souvenir' just now?"

"Yes, is something wrong?" Lanetta replied.

"Then, I would like you to take care of this Puppet. I found her injured in the mountain, but I could not train her properly. She is a combative Satori, with one of her spell cards being the terrible souvenir. You seem young and spirited, you might be the Trainer she deserves." The Hiker showed us a chibi Satori.

"Hello... I am a Satori... nice to meet you." She bowed.

"Hello! My name is Lanetta. Before we continue, I will ask this question: do you want to join us? I will travel to the entire region, and I attract danger. I cannot guarantee safety even though I will try my best to. I do not want any Puppets regret a rash decision."

Satori pondered for a second, and finally spoke, "I want to join you. I will protect you from harm."

Lanetta then took out a Miko Orb, and Satori let herself in.

"I decided not to name Satori because I don't want her to live with a bad name." Then Lanetta struck her pose.

The Hiker applauded. "I'm sure she will be happy with you. I will be taking my leave now. Farewell!" Then he left.

Lanetta then let Satori out and we went to the dining hall for dinner. This time, the menu was all about soups. We picked a soup we like, a bowl of rice, and sat down on a square table. Yes, Lanetta ate a bowl of seven types of soup at once. She mixed curry and stew in one bowl. I was hopeless.

"Lanetta, is it? Are you thinking about my previous Trainer?" Satori spoke up in the middle of our dinner.

Lanetta almost sprayed soup out of her mouth. "How did you know?" She spoke up after swallowing the soup in her mouth. Wriggle and I giggled.

"My species, a type of youkai named satori, can read minds." Satori replied. "That is one of why Trainers rarely want a Satori."

"What? Then you know all of the thoughts of everyone in this room?"

"Yes. This ability has a radius, and this whole dining hall is within that radius. But I didn't bother with them because we can fine-tune our abilities to focus on interesting thoughts only."

"Wow..." Wriggle was amazed, her eyes were glittering. "About the thoughts of bugs?"

"Their thoughts are driven by instincts, so those are not significant. I mostly read your own thoughts." Satori replied to Wriggle with a smile.

"About your previous Trainer..." I started.

"He... is someone I do not want to see ever again. He is a Rocket Grunt." Satori spoke after a moment of hesitation.

"Rocket? Does that mean... Team Rocket is messing with something inside the mountain?" Lanetta almost sprayed soup again.

She's right across me, if she sprayed her soup I would get wet for sure! I hope she doesn't get shocked again!

"Yes. They are knocking out rocks to find Fossils. I heard from the other Grunts who worked with my previous Trainer that they had successfully kidnapped a scientist who had discovered two specimens."

"Why did he leave you there?" Lanetta became even more serious.

"They had to finish grabbing the specimens quickly. Unfortunately, some traveling Trainers stood against Team Rocket, and I was injured from one such battle. Their leader commanded all the Grunts to descend and coerce the scientist to show where the specimens were. Since the Rocket Grunt did not use Miko Orbs, he left me because I couldn't run. He had a Nazrin with him, so he was not defenseless."

"Okay... when we get there, we'll teach them a lesson." Lanetta said in determination.

"Yeah!" We tossed our hands together.

Then, we finished our dinner and rented a room for the night.

Wriggle, as usual, took a shower first. Then, it was my turn. I washed my hair with the warm overflowing water. It was a long day.

After i got out, Satori came in. Wriggle was sleeping on her bed. Lanetta was not asleep, to my surprise.

"Esoterica, I want to change."

"You mean change clothes, Lanetta?"

"No. I want to change myself."

"You mean..."

"You know you hate me running around, yet you tried to smile this afternoon. I want to discard my childishness."

"But... why now of all times?"

"It will be a long and hard journey. If I start early, I will achieve it sooner. I'm sure this will repel me from danger as well."

I don't know what has gotten into her. But she seemed serious. And yes, I hate her childishness. But I don't know how can I help her change... Never mind. I will help her out. As our adventure progresses, I'm sure we will work something out. And maybe, this will help me with Bright Vision Stars...

"...I will help you. Even though I have no idea how, I will accompany you all the way through your metamorphosis."

"You will? Thank you!" She hugged me so tightly.

"You're welcome." I replied with a whisper. I was getting short of breath.

She finally released me, and I fell to the floor.

"Oh, no! Esoterica, did I hug you too tight?"

"Kind of... my shortness of breath is coming back for a moment..."

A few seconds later and I returned to my healthy state.

"What happened?"

"I have the tendency to get out of breath. Don't worry, I'm fine now."

"Hmmm... maybe we should ask the nurse about it tomorrow."

"I guess so."

Satori then came out. "Did someone fall ill? You were thinking about going to the nurse..."

Lanetta shook her head. "No, everyone is fine. We're going to ask about Sanae's tendency to get out of breath."

"You have that? I can't imagine... will it be hard for you to battle?" Satori was puzzled. Her Third Eye was moving frantically.

"No, it only troubles me when I do endurance training." I replied.

"Okay, I'm going to shower! Good night, everyone! Wriggle's already asleep." Lanetta went into the shower.

Satori and I gestured good night, and we went unconscious on our bed.


A/N Here is Chapter 3! More plot and no explanation for Satori's competitiveness. I'll explain it later.

The next chapter is... guess what, Lanetta kicking the Rocket Grunts' bottoms.