Uploaded Feb. 8th, 2012

That morning I awoke with the strange feeling that someone was watching me. That feeling was confirmed when I opened my eyes to see Alysson's face, three inches from my own. I fell out of the bed with a rather embarrassing "Yelp!", and landed face-first on the hard, wooden floor.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Alysson greeted cheerfully. "So, are we ready to go?"

I rubbed my eyes, trying to fully awaken. "What?" I mumbled sleepily.

She put her hands on her hips and glared at me. "Hello? Aren't we supposed to be going somewhere?"

I blinked a couple of times, my brain finally starting up. "Oh, yeah. So you've decided to come, I take it?" I asked, getting my backpack.

She nodded, cheerful once again. "Uh-huh!"

"And Bane?" I asked, not believing in the slightest that they would mutually agree to travel together.

She shrugged. "I guess he's coming too. I'm mostly going to ignore him."

I let out a chuckle. "Yeah, that'll work."

We left the Pokemon Center, our Pokemon fully healed, to find Bane waiting impatiently outside.

"What took ya'?" he asked grumpily. "I've been waitin' forever! I was about to call a search party! For you, Storm, not her." he added with a smug grin.

Alysson was obviously annoyed, but took a deep breath and said, "Ignoring."

"Not caring." Bane retorted mockingly.

I sighed. "Well, Ironhill's not getting any closer." I said, starting to walk ahead

They both nodded, sending each other subtle, quiet glares. And by subtle, I mean obvious, and by quiet, I mean that they were growling. This was not going to be a peaceful trip.

...

We stepped onto Route 9, which led to the Ironhill Caverns, which opened right into Ironhill Village. Now let's go into a little more detail on that trip, shall we? Bane and I led the group while Alysson lagged behind a little, reading a book.

"What are you reading a book for?" Bane snarked. "What could you possibly be reading that would be of any use to us?"

She lowered her book and glared at him. "For your information," she nearly growled, trying to contain herself, "this book has information about Pokemon habitats, and their reactions to intruders, like us."

Bane looked at her confusedly. "We're not intruders, we're just passing through."

Alysson sighed. "To a wild Pokemon it's the same thing." she shook her head and went back to reading her book.

Bane sighed dramatically. "I'll never understand girls."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "No, no you won't." I agreed. We laughed, and I think I even heard Alysson giggling.

Then Bane spotted a wild Pokemon. "Finally! I've been itching for a battle!" he exclaimed, running over to the wild Hoothoot.

Alysson huffed. "Must you be so barbaric?"

Bane openly laughed at her question, as though she had just asked him if it was absolutely necessary to breathe air. "Well, duh! If I don't battle then my Pokemon won't gain experience, will it?" Bane explained.

Alysson shook her head and turned to me. "You agree with me, right?"

I wasn't quite sure how to answer that. "I'm not quite sure how to answer that." I said, voicing my thoughts.

She looked at me pleadingly. "Oh, come on! You can't seriously want to hurt these Pokemon for defending their homes, can you?"

I faltered, but realized the perfect counter. "Well, it's true that they're defending their homes." I started. She smiled at this. "But," I continued, "We aren't exactly trampling their nests, are we? They could just as easily ignore us and stay close to their homes, but they choose to approach and fight us."

Her smile faded, realizing I made some sense. "Well, maybe, but..."

I nodded. "I agree that we shouldn't go after Pokemon unnecessarily but we have to defend ourselves if they attack. Right?"

She nodded, faking a smile. "I guess so. But could you handle most of the fighting, please?" she added sheepishly, looking at the ground for some reason.

I smiled back. "Deal, but I think Bane has it under control." I said pointing over to Bane who was already moving on, his battle long since past.

Alysson stomped her foot on the ground, surprising me with her sudden emotional change. "Ugh! He's so impatient!" she said, before stomping down the path after him.

I followed, calling out Karryash on the way. My little fire bird ruffled its feathers and jumped onto the arm that I had lowered for it, and from there onto my shoulder. "You'll stay and talk to me, right?" I asked Karryash. Both Alysson and Bane were a few yards in front of me, arguing over something. Karryash cheeped and leaned on my head, promptly falling asleep.

"You're quite the conversationalist." I remarked jokingly, taking care in my steps not to drop him. Bane and Alysson had stopped, either to argue more or to wait for me. Either way it gave me enough time to catch up with them.

"Fine! We'll ask Storm, then!" Bane yelled as I arrived.

"Sounds good to me!" Alysson loudly agreed.

I sighed, knowing I was going to be dragged into this whether I wanted to or not. "What's wrong?" I asked dryly, knowing I was about to hear something of no real consequence.

I was corrected, however, when Bane spoke, "Well, I think we need to catch more Pokemon, but little-miss-perfect here says we shouldn't." he said, glaring at Alysson.

Alysson glared back. "We can't just take them from their families! How would you feel, if-"

"Alright, alright!" I interrupted, not needing to hear the rest of this conversation. "I can see that both of you have good points. We can't really last as trainers without more Pokemon, but we can't take a child from its family..." I though hard about this and the others seemed to be doing the same.

Then Bane got an idea. "Wait! What if we only take matured Pokemon? I'm not saying we should tackle fully grown Terrofirmo, or anything like that. Just old enough that they live on their own skills." he looked at us expectantly.

We were both surprised, to say the least. I hate to say it, but I honestly thought he didn't care so long as he got more Pokemon. Alysson was the first to speak, however. "That's... actually a really good idea, Bane." she said in a tone of utter shock. Personally, I was only surprised, not floored like her.

Bane mocked offense. "And why the tone of surprise?" he asked, turning his back on he to add to the gesture.

She put her hands on her hips and mocked him back. "Well I never!" she said, turning away as well.

I couldn't help but laugh at this. And in seconds they had joined in. But after a moment I noticed something. "Hey, where's Karryash?" I asked, looking around.

"Wasn't he on your shoulder a second ago?" Alysson asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, but now-" I was cut off when a Chesto Berry fell on the top of my head. "OW!" I yelled. "What was that?" I looked up and saw Karryash, sitting on a branch and eating a berry. "Karryash, get down from there!" I called. It just sat there, eating its berry.

"Allow me." Bane said, getting his Porygon out. "Porygon, tackle the tree." Porygon hit it, knocking Karryash out. I ran over and barely caught it.

"A little warning would be nice." I commented.

Bane shrugged. "Sorry." he said halfheartedly. He then turned and continued down the path without a care in the world.

Alysson followed, quietly whispering, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..." To keep calm, I guessed. I followed them, making sure Karryash was okay and giving it the Chesto berry that fell on my head.

A short walk later we came across the entrance to the Ironhill Caverns. I walked in, whistling "We're off to see the Wizard" as I did. The others exchanged a glance and followed.

Ooh, a cave. Spooky. Readers of the world, lend me your ears! ...Sir, you can have yours back, it as too much earwax. Anyways, we seem to be getting on our way now, don't we? For those of you who are waiting for a good battle, YE SHALL NOT WAIT FOR LONG! I am working hard to bring you people entertainment! And I'm not even getting paid.

Bane: Yes you are. Remember that guy-

SHUT UP, BANE! Do't mind him, he's on some "special medicine". Please review! I do accept flames, but compliments are greatly appreciated.