Hello, readers! Manager Piplup here. On behalf of UmberonOshawott, I'd like to apologize. Her life happened, and she had to stop writing for-*yells in the background* how long was your break?

UmbreonOshawott: Like, 3 months!

Manager Piplup: That felt so much longer than it was. Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who stayed with her fanfiction through her break. Thank you for staying hopeful. I'm not even sure if anyone is still going to read this fanfiction after the break, but if anyone is out there, anyone who still checks for updates, thank you and we're sorry for making you wait this long for an update. We'll try not to let this long of a break happen again. Now, that's enough talking from me. To anyone who is still reading this fanfiction... on with the chapter!

Last time we saw our heroines, they had just left Tarc city, after Lorelai's victory at the Tarc city gym, which earned her the Torch Badge. Now, they are taking a small break on the way to the next city.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Lorelai asked nervously as she looked up at Mackenzie, who was high up in a maple tree.

"Come on Lorelai! You made me jump off a building, but you're scared of climbing a tree?" The blonde asked, causing Lorelai to sigh.

"No. I'm worried because you aren't exactly the most coordinated person." Mackenzie huffed as the brunette said this.

"I am to coordinated!" She retorted, tightening her grip on the branch. Seel hid inside her pocket.

"Seel seel seel. '(I can't watch.)" Mackenzie rolled her eyes.

"Well, Eevee thinks I can do it, right?" She asked the dark brown Eevee, unsurprised to find her asleep. Mackenzie shrieked as a blur of silver rushed by her, causing her to lose her balance and fall out of the tree. Lorelai stifled a laugh and helped the other girl up.

"Told ya." She said smugly. Mackenzie rolled her eyes.

"It wasn't entirely me! There was a gray thing up there that scared me." She defended. Lorelai raised an eyebrow and looked up at the tree, surprised to see a Jangmo-o laughing hysterically.

"You think that was funny?" Mackenzie asked, surprised that the Pokémon nodded. Lorelai chuckled.

"It was a little funny."

Mackenzie stayed silent, waiting for the Jangmo-o to stop laughing. Once he did, Lorelai climbed up the tree and sat down next to him, causing Jangmo-o to flinch and move a little away, his eyes widening in fear. The brunette chuckled and placed the dragon type on her lap, gently stroking his scales. Jangmo-o relaxed a little, not seeming as afraid as before. "See? No reason to be scared. I won't hurt you, and Mackenzie won't either, no matter how upset she may seem."

Jangmo-o nodded and rested his head on Lorelai's lap. The trainer stopped once she noticed something brown around the Pokémon's neck. "What's this?" Lorelai asked as she gently tugged it, surprised to see that it was a rope. Jangmo-o screeched as the rope rubbed against his skin, that had been rubbed raw by said rope. Lorelai looked down at Mackenzie. "Mackenzie, please go into my bag and throw me my pocket knife."

The blondes eyes widened. "You have a pocket knife? Why?" Lorelai shrugged.

"You'd be surprised what creeps you can run into in the forest. It's always good to be prepared." She said nonchalantly. Mackenzie gulped and went to Lorelai's bag. After a little rummaging she found a pocket knife. The handle of the knife had purple and teal marbling on it, and the blade was black with a serrated edge. Mackenzie climbed up the tree and handed it to Lorelai, before sliding back down to the ground.

"Okay. Now hold still Jangmo-o." Lorelai said as she carefully maneuvered the blade under the rope. The pokemon whimpered, but kept still as Lorelai carefully cut the rope. She tossed the rope away, deliberately littering, and gently scooped Jangmo-o up and carried him down the tree. Jangmo-o smiled playfully at Lorelai.

Piplup suddenly burst out of his pokeball, glaring at the dragon type.

"Pip Piplup pip! '(LEAVE MY TRAINER ALONE YOU STUPID LIZARD!)" Jangmo-o smirked and stuck his tongue out at the penguin Pokémon. Piplup groaned and leapt onto Lorelai's head. "Pip pip Piplup. '(She's mine!)" Lorelai chuckled.

"Calm down Piplup, I can like two Pokémon, can't I?" Piplup grudgingly nodded.

"Pip lup. '(I guess)" He thought for a moment. "Lup Piplup! '(I'm still your favorite though!)" Lorelai smiled.

"Of course." The brunette said. Mackenzie sighed and sat down.

"So what exactly are you gonna do with the Jangmo-o?" Lorelai smiled.

"Catch him of course! I mean, as long as he is ok with it." She looked down at the Pokémon, who smiled and crawled onto Lorelai's shoulder. "Then it's decided! Go pokeball!" She said as she chucked a pokeball at Jangmo-o's head. He fell back before being sucked into the pokeball. The ball shook once, then twice, then a third time. "Yes! I just caught a Jangmo-o!" Lorelai yelled excitedly. She released the dragon type, surprised to see a bump on his head. Mackenzie sighed.

"You didn't have to throw the ball that hard if he was on your shoulder." Lorelai's eyes widened.

"Oops. Sorry Jangmo-o. I was just excited."Jangmo-o chuckled and nuzzled Lorelai, implying that he forgave her.

Lorelai smiled. "Now I have enough Pokémon to compete at the next gym!" Piplup cheered along side her. Mackenzie chuckled and stood up.

"We better get going then." She said, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face when she saw how happy Lorelai was.

So, our heroines continue on the path to the next city, unaware of the challenges they are about to run into.

Meanwhile, in an undisposed location, an old man sits on a throne like chair. His once clean shaven face was now covered in a thick gray beard, which often was greasy from lack of being washed. He stared at the clock, realizing that it was time for him to restock on his youth. He shakily stood up and walked over to a vile, which contained the blood of two fallen heroines. He frowned once he realized how little was left. He needed more of he wanted to make it to next year. He took a small swig of the blood, the sour taste bit affecting him after centuries of drinking it. He sat back down, groaning as he tried to think of an easy way to get what he wanted. As if on cue, one of his many grunts entered the room.

"Sir, the targets are on the move. The brunette just added a dragon type to her team."

The male cussed and leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he thought. "Separate them. It's the only way to get their blood, which should have the inherited power of those I've slaughtered in the past. Try to intercept them at the next small town. Send someone to pull them apart, make them turn against each other. Then, bring them to me." He said, grinning evilly. The grunt nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Mortem." The male laughed.

"If you succeed I'll allow you to call me by my first name."

The grunt raised an eyebrow. "But, Sir, I don't know your first name." Mr. Mortem smiled.

"Chesapeake. My name is Chesapeake."