In Kanto, the common consensus among trainers seems to be that the scariest places are Rock Tunnel (formerly the Pokemon Tower), then the ruins of Old Cinnabar, then Viridian Forest. Perhaps I was biased by my proximity to the ghosts of Lavender Town while growing up, but I couldn't imagine why the forest wasn't top of the list. Did people just not come at night? How could they not be terrified of the eerie glowing eyes of the Beedrills, the sparking witchlight of the Pikachu, the hidden webs spun by nearly all of the forests' inhabitants. Did they not understand the real dangers posed, versus the pranks favored by most ghosts? Even the ground was treacherous, making biking dangerous, so if something did happen, we wouldn't have a quick way out. Mac didn't seem worried, so I didn't let my nerves show.

"Hmm, now this is interesting. Cool, collected Katie undone by a few bugs." Well, I thought I hadn't. I glanced over, ready to meet his smirk with a flat glare, only to see a curious expression instead. "Even when my Pokemon acted up earlier, and yours were in danger, you still seemed in control, like a rock your Pokemon could use for support. I'm surprised."

Really? I'd been too taken aback to do anything but react to my Pokemon's needs in the moment. "I'm not scared," I said brusquely.

"I didn't say-"

I interrupted him before he could misunderstand further, "I'm concerned. And rightfully so. People get scared by the ghosts in Lavender, or when a Diglett suddenly pops up in front of them. Lucky is still too young to be in Pokeball, and Vola is too nosy for her own good. I've seen what happens to a Pokemon stuck in a web for days, or stung by a Beedrill and left untreated. This place is huge, and dangerous, and I'm not foolish enough to treat it like it isn't."

Mac eyed me for a few steps as we walked. Then he looked back forward, watching his step in the fading evening light. "Fear isn't always on your own behalf, and it's not always a bad thing. But call it what you want. You see anywhere that looks good to camp?"

I scowled at his back. Vola bounded up to me from wherever she'd been causing mischief, despite my constant warnings not to wander off, and I picked her up.

"I know you're not scared," I told her. She just nuzzled into the side of my chest. Lucky came over, so I deposited Vola on my handlebar and picked him up. "Oh, good. Now I can keep an eye on both of you."

A few seconds later, a rustling in the bushes turned into a figure scrambling through them. When she crashed into our clearing and saw us, she paused for a moment with her hands on her knees, panting. Her braids seemed familiar somehow.

"Excuse me," she said, "Have you seen a ribbon anywhere?"

Her voice was familiar, too. Mac answered as I was busy trying to place it, "A ribbon? Like a hair ribbon?"

She shook her head before standing up straight again, "No, a Contest ribbon. I could have sworn I saw it on my bag when I put it down to get dinner ready an hour ago, but it's not there!"

"Wait, Janelle?" I asked, recognizing her now that I saw her face.

She blinked at me Noctowlishly, "Yes?" Then recognition must have dawned on her, too, as she said, "Oh, you're from Lavender! Cay- Callie?"

"Katie," I corrected, then absorbed what she'd said. "Missing something small, hmm?"

I looked down at Vola, who blinked back at me innocently.

"I haven't seen your ribbon, but I think I know who has. Vola, would you show Janelle where her ribbon went?"

My Vulpix deflated as I put an end to her fun. Head drooping in mock surrender, she hopped off my bike and walked into the forest the way Janelle had come.

"Mac, I'll be back after I clean up this mess. Do you mind setting up camp?" He nodded neutrally, and I released Spin. "Keep an eye on Lucky and our stuff, okay? If you can keep him out of trouble, I'll ask Mac if you can practice massages with his team," I whispered to him, and he came alive, scrambling up onto my bag and muttering something that called Lucky over. I hurried after Janelle, who was following Vola.

We entered a clearing after a couple minutes, startling a Krabby and a Ponyta. A second later, a Diglett popped up by Janelle's feet and nuzzled her ankle. A Mr. Mime stood by a fire, stirring something. At least, that's what I thought, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't holding anything, and whatever it appeared to be stirring, also invisible, was next to the fire, not over it.

Janelle sighed, "Mimsey, if you're going to pretend to help with dinner, couldn't you actually help with dinner?"

Mimsey turned, its face lighting up as it saw Janelle, and waved, still pretending to hold a spoon or something.

It mimed being splattered by something on its spoon, and I snickered.

"Laughing will just encourage him," said Janelle, who was looking around. "Where's that terror of a Vulpix?"

Vola flared her tails to get our attention, next to what I presumed was Janelle's bag. She nosed the flap open as we walked over and there, sitting on top of some folded clothes, was a small ribbon. I looked at Janelle.

She looked at me, and I thought I saw a slight flush on her cheeks.

"It's normally pinned to the outside," she began, "I don't know-"

I held up my hands to stop her, "No it was definitely Vola. And I'm sorry about this, again. My guess is she figured you would find it eventually. Vola doesn't pull pranks to hurt anyone, and she definitely wouldn't hide something precious anywhere you might actually lose it." I looked down at my Pokemon, and made eye contact with her even as my words were ostensibly for Janelle, "Which is why she's going to get off the hook only owing you a favor. Training, help with a Contest, even food refrigeration; just let us know and she'll help you out."

At the mention of being loaned for a Contest, Vola shrank down a little. When Janelle, wide-eyed at the offer, looked down at her, though, she slumped in defeat and nodded with a sullen, "Vul."

"Oh, uh, okay," she said. It sounded like she wasn't sure how to respond.

"Honestly, Vola," I said, "you had to find an innocent bystander in the woods? Didn't we talk about this? What about our plan to make Mac eat his words?"

Janelle was suddenly interested, "Mac? Is that the buff guy you were with? No offense, but are you dating a snack like that?"

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to not be offended by the implication that I couldn't date someone like Mac, or that I would. Regardless, with a vigorous head shake I said, "Absolutely not. He's my… temporary student, on loan. It's a long story."

Janelle's interested look grew predatory, "Then, do you know if he is dating anyone?"

I shook my head again, more amused this time. "Sorry, I don't. We haven't known each other very long. I can introduce you, if you want."

The smile that grew on Janelle's face made me think that perhaps pranks on Mac by Vola and I were unnecessary; I had a feeling we'd done enough.

Mac hadn't wasted time. He had a fire going and his tent up when I returned, Janelle in tow.

"Well, hello again," he said jovially when he saw Janelle. "I take it you found your ribbon, then?"

She nodded, then nudged me.

I sighed, "Mac, this is Janelle. We went to school together. Would you mind if she camped with us tonight?"

"Of course not," he said with a sunny smile. "Though, you're going to have to set up your own tent. Those are some serious guards you've got there."

I walked over to Spin and Lucky, the former of whom was curled protectively over my bag, eyes trained on Mac. Lucky, surprisingly, was curled up under my bike, napping. I eyed Mac.

"Hey, as soon as I went to get your tent to set up, Sandshrew got all defensive. He saw that, and apparently thought that meant he should chase me away. We ran around for a little while, then he must've decided the job was done, because he plopped down there."

I stroked Spin's back, "It sounds like you earned your keep. Mac, since you've seen how diligent Spin is, would you consider letting him massage some of your Pokemon? He learned at Erika's Gym, and he's got a taste for it. He's good, too."

"Seriously?" Janelle interrupted, "Does he do hands? Mimsey's got so much tension in his fingers."

I blinked, "Uh, sure. Spin?" Mac smirked.

While Janelle and I set up our tents, Spin worked Mimsey's hands as the mime sat back, a blissful expression on his face.

Mac watched the Pokemon, leaving us to our work. He said, "If Mr. Mime's enjoying it that much, I imagine my team would, too. Our training is tough, but that's all the more reason to take care of ourselves, right?"

He released everyone but Cloyster, which was understandable, and told them the news. They waited patiently for Spin to finish with Mimsey, then he moved on to the next waiting Pokemon. By the time he was done, Janelle and I had our tents set up, and Mac's Pokemon were all relaxed puddles on the ground.

"You weren't kidding! I haven't seen Dodrio stop fighting amongst themselves this long since it was a Doduo."

Janelle reclined in front of her tent, elbows bracing her upright so she could see us, "Oh, come on, Mac. I'll bet you could give amazing massages."

He snorted, "My master doesn't really focus much on finesse. I could crush any knots you're feeling, but it would be along with muscles and bones."

Janelle shot me an "Is he serious?" look, and I shrugged. She arched her back a little more as she purred, "Maybe you need a new teacher, then. I could teach you all sorts of things."

Now Mac laughed. "No offense, but I'm very happy with what I'm learning from Master Bruno, thanks. I'm sure he'd be happy to sit down with you to discuss your techniques, if you really have something worth learning."

I just about choked on my tea at the look on Janelle's face.