New chapter time! In other news, I've recently joined the Pokémon community known as Lake Valor thanks to a recommendation from a reader, and I highly recommend going there for Pokémon discussions and to find people to play with in Sun & Moon or Showdown. Anyways, let's get into the story. This chapter's gonna be longer than usual.


"Eterna Forest," muttered Terrell. "One of the wonders of Sinnoh."

Terrell and Natasha stood in front of the Eterna Forest, north of Floarama. It was the last obstacle before they could reach Terrell's second gym battle in Eterna City. The trees towered over the landscape, with Bug, Grass, and even Ghost-type Pokémon capable of being sighted by looking through the trees.

"I've heard stories about this forest," uttered Natasha. "They say there's some stuff with ghosts in here."

"Just stick with me," uttered Terrell. "You'll be fine."

Natasha smiled at Terrell before the two of them walked into the forest. As they walked in, Terrell took the egg he received in Oreburgh out of his bag to check on it.

"The egg's warm," uttered Terrell. "I feel like it'll hatch soon."

"I wonder what's inside," replied Natasha. Terrell smirked before putting the egg back in his bag and continuing to walk through the forest. It was dark, and neither of them knew what would come after them. Munchy and Charchar both grasped onto their Trainers' shoulders in fear, shivering. Yet, murmurs and even the most haunting of sounds could be heard throughout the forest.

"Wonder if there's any good Pokémon here," uttered Natasha. "I really need to catch something else."

"You'll find something," replied Terrell. "Eterna Forest is known for it's biodiversity."

Terrell stepped on a twig on the ground, producing a cracking noise.

"SHHH!" whispered Natasha. "You don't want to attract the attention of a Pokémon!"

Then, out of what appeared to be a coincidence, an Aipom jumped from a tree, onto Natasha's hat.

"Hey, get off!" shouted Natasha. Terrell pulled out a Poké Ball immediately.

"Twiggy, head on out!" shouted Terrell as he threw his Poké Ball. Twiggy jumped out, and snarled at the Aipom.

"Razor Leaf!" shouted Terrell as Twiggy fired his leaves at the Aipom. It was hit by three of them, but dodged many of them and hooked onto a tree branch with its tail. It then jumped down onto Twiggy, knocking it down. Aipom then proceeded to slap Twiggy several times with his tail while laughing.

"Get up and use Tackle!" shouted Terrell. Twiggy pushed Aipom off of his back, and charged at him while he was dazed. Aipom went flying into a tree, but hooked onto a branch again.

"Withdraw!" shouted Terrell. Twiggy gathered energy from the nearby ground, then, just as Aipom swooped down, he smashed into the barrier. landing onto the ground. Aipom had clearly fainted.

"Nice work Twiggy," uttered Terrell as he pulled him back into his Poké Ball. Natasha merely looked at him with a smile on her face.

"You know, I could've handled Aipom easily," uttered Natasha. "You didn't have to do that."

"I can't stand seeing you that terrified," replied Terrell. "Plus, it's good training."

Natasha blushed at Terrell after hearing these words. She could tell he had some thoughts about her, but decided to keep playing the game known as flirting. The two Trainers continued walking for some distance, until they spotted a mansion in the woods, covered in vines.

"Please tell me we're not going in there," uttered Natasha. Terrell merely smirked before grabbing her hand and dashing inside. She was both scared and in awe at the same time.

"It'll be good training," replied Terrell. "Plus, we might find some Pokémon to catch."

A laughing noise echoed through the house.

"AAAH!" shouted the two Trainers as they held onto each other in fear.

"What was that?" asked Terrell. His brown hair was on end, as he tried to comfort both himself and his friend.

"I have no idea," replied Natasha as she held onto her crush. Then, the lights began flickering in the house.

"The lights still work?" muttered Terrell. "Strange. Let's see what's going on in here."

Terrell and Natasha continued to walk through the house, noticing the flickering lights. They entered a room with a TV and several posters. However, the TV was constantly flickering, changing channels rapidly.

"What if I turn it off?" thought Terrell. However, as he neared the power button, a Rotom jumped out of the TV, and began laughing hysterically as Terrell and Natasha jumped back.

"By Helix I got you good!" shouted the Rotom in a wisecracking voice.

"YOU CAN TALK?!" screamed Natasha.

"Well, when ya enter electronic devices so often, you eventually pick up some human speech," replied the Rotom. "Now, I have a proposition for you two."

"Go on," replied Natasha, clearly fascinated by this talking Rotom.

"I've been lonely for years," replied the Rotom. "I like to pull tricks on visitors by entering the electronic appliances in here to draw their attention, but they always run away. Until today."

"Ah," replied Natasha as she grasped a Poké Ball in her hand. "Charchar, use Ember."

Charchar let out a thundering roar before shooting a chunk of fire at Rotom.

"BY ARCEUS THAT HURTS!" shouted the Rotom alongside a multitude of swears that the two Trainers failed to understand. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to catch you," replied Natasha. Rotom merely showed a dull expression.

"You could've asked," replied Rotom. "Just throw out the Poké Ball and catch me."

Natasha threw the Poké Ball at Rotom. It spun around for several seconds, before clicking. Rotom then jumped out of his Poké Ball.

"I'll stick outside of that thing, thank you very much," replied Rotom in a smirky accent. "You mind if I enter your Pokétch?"

"Not at all," replied Natasha. Rotom smirked before entering the watch, and showing his face.

"Now, let's go!" replied Rotom. "If you want to battle with me, just let me out of here."

Natasha and Terrell smirked before walking out of the mansion. As they continued walking through the forest, Rotom told them stories about the countless tricks he had pulled on visitors to the mansion, about his Alolan cousin who entered a kid's Pokédex, and other interesting things that he knew.

"You never shut up, do you?" muttered Terrell in a sarcastic manner.

"Never do and never will," replied Rotom. Natasha and Terrell merely smiled at each other before exiting the forest and arriving in Eterna City.


Natasha sat in her room within the Pokémon Center. She had already changed into her sleepwear, with her long blond hair let down from its usual ponytail. Rotom was jumping around the room, playing with Charchar. Natasha had a lot on her mind, but it was primarily about Terrell, and how he said he couldn't stand seeing her terrified.

"Something on your mind?" asked Rotom, curiously. Charchar merely provided him with an explanation before he turned to face Natasha again.
"Ah, now I see. You like him, don't ya?"

"It's more than that," replied Natasha. "We've known each other since we were kids, and I feel a real connection to him. If only there was a way to get closer to him..."

"Well, why don't you admit you love him?" asked Rotom.

"It'll feel too early," replied Natasha. "Plus, what if he says no?"

"In the end, it's up to you," replied Rotom.

"Thanks for talking to me Rotom," replied Natasha as she smiled. "I'm glad I caught you."

"Glad to be of help!" replied Rotom. "I hope Terrell does a good job training for his second gym battle tomorrow."

"As do I," replied Natasha.


And thus ends the chapter. I'm glad I implemented Rotom as a character, especially since I made him able to talk. Anyways, see you again.