Episode 430: The Battle in the Nacrene City Gym!
Before I get this chapter started, I was given a suggestion of Sora earning 10 Gym Badges instead of the tradional eight. That way, Sora would have all the Gym Badges in the Pokémon world. I would like to know what you think of that. Anyway, here is the chapter with the battle between Sora and Lenora! Let's begin the chapter!
After solving the museum's mysterious happenings, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, and Meowth went to the Pokémon Battle Club to train. It turns out that the Don George there is the older brother of the previous Don George they met.
Has decided to get some training done before he could go ahead and battled Lenora. Sora was led in a room that caters to the needs of Fighting Type Pokémon, so Scraggy was practing on a punching bag.
"That's it, guys! Lenora is a tough Gym Leader, so we need to be ready for anything she can throw at us," Sora said.
"Sora is sure getting into it," Iris said.
"Well, Lenora has a Watchog, so he suspect she's going to use her against him," Kairi said.
"I don't doubt it. After seeing what Watchog is capable of, he's not taking any chances with her," Cilan said.
Unknown to the group, they were being watched by Hugh and his Dewott. He approached the group.
"Could that be Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon League Champion I have heard so much about?" Hugh asked.
"Yeah. He's my cousin," Ventus said.
"Are you inteerrsted in challenging Sora into a battle?" Aqua asked.
"I would like to make that request to him," Hugh said. Sora noticed him and walked up to him.
"Something I can help you with, man?" Sora asked.
"Yes. I am wondering if you are here to have a Gym Battle with the Nacrene City Gym Leader Lenora?" Hugh asked.
"Yeah. I'm training for it. We're going to have it as soon as I'm done training for it," Sora said.
"I was wondering if you would like to have a Gym battle with me later after your Gym battle. Also, there is something else I would like from you," Hugh said.
"What?" Sora asked.
"That will come later. Also, my name is Hugh," Hugh introduced himself. "I'll meet you here later." Sora nods.
"Okay," Sora replied.
Sora had a look into Hugh's aura and he could tell something was up with him. He wondered what he could want with Sora. He decided to wait and see.
Later, the group has returned to the Gym for the promised Gym battle, hoping that his training will pay off. The group were being led by Lenora and Hawes.
"Say, Lenora?" Sora asked.
"Yes, Sora," Lenora replied.
"Where is the battlefield exactly?" Sora asked.
"It doesn't seem likely that it'll be here," Cilan added.
"You'll see soon enough," Lenora said. Hawes places his hand on a scanner. The doors opens. They saw it was anohter part of the library.
"We're entering an area that is closed for the general public," Hawes said.
"Another library?" Aqua asked.
"This part of the library is reserved for rare books and study material. You need to have special permission from us to enter here," Lenora said.
"This is the entire collection in the entire Unova region. You can learn all about Unova's history and culture right in here," Hawes said.
"Incredible! You even have books on Pokémon Connoisseurs!" Cilan said.
"That's because the Unova region is where Pokémon Connoisseurs has gotten their start here in the Unova region," Lenora said. "Are you interested?"
"Of course. I am on this journey as a Pokémon Connoisseur to meet as many different Pokémon and trainers as I possibily can," Cilan said.
"Well, well. There's nothing better than lots of experence, so the best of luck to you," Lenora said.
"Thanks," Cilan said. Lenora has set her attention on Kairi.
"Hawes tells me that you're a Pokémon Coordinator," Lenora said.
"Yes. I've been one ever since we got started in the Hoenn region, and all through the Sinnoh region," Kairi said. "I've been doing some practice for the Virbank City Pokémon Contest coming up."
"You have to be skillful if you competed in Contests in Hoenn and Sinnoh. I wish you luck in your Contests," Lenora said.
"Thank you," Kairi said.
Lenora went up to Sora and patted him on the back.
"So, Sora. I think you should study up for our gym battle before we get started," Lenora said.
"Um, the thing is, we came here for a Gym battle," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu added.
"Of coure you did. That's why I brought you to our library first," Lenora said.
"It is?" Sora asked.
"You see, no one is really allowed back here, unless you're a researcher or a Gym challenger," Lenora said.
"In other words, not just anyone can come back here," Aqua said.
"That's right, Aqua," Lenora said. Lenora starts walking towards a bookcase.
"Knowledge can be valuable in a Pokémon battle," Lenora said.
"Yeah?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"I recommend you take a look at this book," Lenora said, knocking on one book.
"So, I gave to read a book to battle?" Sora asked.
"This might be part of your Gym battle, Sora. Lenora might be testing you out with everything she's saying and doing," Cilan said.
"A test?" Sora asked. He remembered having a series of quizes when he went to challge Blaine in the Cinnabar Island and he managed to get that right, but Blaine almost had him even he did use Rock, Ground, and Water Types. Sora said in his thoughts, "Cilan might be right. Lenora might be testing me. I mean, do I just grab a book and start reading right away, or do I just she pointed at me. There's only one way to find out." He walked up to the shelf and he reached out for the book she pointed at him and pulled it back. The walls starts shaking. "What the?" The floor next to the bookshel opens and reveals a series of stairs.
"Are those stairs?" Sora asked.
"That's right. The stairs to the battlefield," Lenora said.
"Tell me, dear, don't you think this young challneger quite direct?" Hawes asked.
"I sure do. It's just as connoisuer boy was saying," Lenora said. Cilan chuckled nervously.
"Connosiuer boy?" Cilan asked, chuckling neverously.
"You see, I've been testing you from the first moment you first walked in here," Lenora said.
"You were?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu added.
"You see, for most challengers when I recommend that they read a book. Nine times out of ten they go directly to whatever book that most are interested in," Lenora explained.
"Wow, from all these?" Iris asked.
"That's correct. Even though I show them the quickest way to get to my Gym," Lenora said.
"But, why do you do that?" Terra asked.
"Because most challngers will sidetracked from reading too much into what I say. So, in order to rush to the Gym, they usually choose books they're interested in, or thin books they think they can finish quickly.Very intersting isn't it?" Lenora asked. "I could generally tell what the trainer's going to be like just by how they react in this kind of situation," Lenora said as Hawes nodded his head.
"Then, what kind of trainer do you think Sora is?" Ventus asked.
"Sora seems rather on the aggressive side, but he was also cautious. So, I'm willing to see how that aggressiveness and cautiousness will pay off when we get on the battlefield," Lenora said.
"I think it's fairly easy to predict," Hawes said.
"They got your number, Sora," Iris said.
"Yeah. I trained for this, so let's get this over with," Sora said.
"We shall see how your training has paid off. Let's go," Lenora said. She led the group down to the battlefield. "And here we are."
"Just how is it going down?" Sora asked.
"Here is how it's going to work out, Sora. The both of us will be using two Pokémon each. And the battle will be over will be over when both of our Pokémon are unable to battle. And more," Lenora said.
"More?" Sora asked.
"I thought you would ask me that," Lenora said.
"Unlike most of the Gyms, Lenora is allowed to substitute Pokémon at any time. That is a special rule that the Unova Pokémon League has passed down to us," Hawes said.
"That's quite a rule," Meowth said.
"Normal Type Pokémon are perfect for Gym battles. That's because they don't have the limitaions as Pokémon that are bound by a certain element. This allows me the flexibility to respond to strategy that challengers uses against me," Lenora said.
"I'm ready for anything you can throw at me," Sora said.
"I like your attitude, Sora. Show me your battling skills, and how well you go," Lenora said.
"I won't disappoint you, Lenora," Sora said. Hawes took his place as the battle's referee.
"The battle here in the Nacrene City Gym is about to begin! Lenora the Gym Leader and Sora from Pallet Town. Both trainers will be using two Pokémon and both the Gym Leader and the challenger are allowed to substitute Pokémon anytime. The battle will be decided when both of either trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle! Now begin!" Hawes annonced. Lenora has taken out a Pokéball and threw it.
"You're in first, Herdier!" Lenora called out. She threw it and Herdier came on out to battle. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Scraggy!" Sora called out. Lenora grinned when Scraggy came on out.
"So, you're using a Scraggy. Most of my challengers has used Fighting Types against me," Lenora said.
"The challenger has the first move," Hawes said.
"Scraggy! Start up with Low Kick!" Sora ordered. Scraggy ran towards Herdier with Low Kick.
"Use Protect!" Lenora ordered. Herdier uses Protect to block out Scraggy's Low Kick. "Now, use Roar!" Herdier roars, forcing Scraggy back inside, and forces out Oshawott.
"Oh man, Roar forces a Pokémon back and forces another out in its place," Sora said. Lenora calls Herdier back and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Watchog!" Lenora called out. Oshawott turned to Sora.
"I figured she was going to use Watchog for this battle, so I'm going have to switch back with Scraggy to play it safe!" Sora said, trying to call back Oshawott.
"Use Mean Look!" Lenora ordered. Watchog closes its eyes and its body becomes surrounded in a dark purple aura. It then opens its eyes and they glow bright red. The purple aura then rises into the air and forms an eye with a black pupil. The eye then becomes surrounded in a magenta aura, and multiple smaller eyes with a magenta outline appear around it and spread throughout the battlefield. Oshawott's body then becomes surrounded in a magenta aura. Oshawott is surrounded by a purple forcefield that appears around the sea otter Pokémon when Sora tried to call him back.
"Shoot! Mean Look prevents me from recalling my Pokémon!" Sora exclaimed.
"That's right, Sora! First, I use Herdier's Roar to send an opponent back to its trainer, then I switch Herdier with Watchog and lay down Mean Look to prevent you from switching Pokémon," Lenora said.
"Mean Look will be in play just as long as Watchog stays on the field," Cilan said.
"Man, my plan to save Oshawott for last has backfired. Looks like I'm going have to use Sacred Sword a whole lot sooner than planned," Sora said in his thoughts.
"What's the matter, Sora? Feeling discouraged? You have no choice but to move on," Lenora said.
"She's right. I don't have a choice," Sora said in his thoughts. He ordered, "Oshawott! Sacred Sword!" Oshawott takes his scalchop and swings it as Sacred Sword takes effect.
"Watchog! Dodge and use Low Kick!" Lenora ordered. Watchog avoids Oshawott's Sacred Sword and gave a kick onto the sea otter Pokémon. "Now, use Thunderbolt!" Watchog unleashed Thunderbolt right at him.
"Block it with your Scapchop!" Sora called out. Oshawott uses his scapchop to block the Thunderbolt. This amazes Lenora.
"I never seen an Oshawott use its Scalchop like that before. I am impressed!" Lenora said.
"Okay, Oshawott! Use Razor Shell!" Sora ordered. Oshawott came at Watchog with Razor Shell ready to strike.
"Dodge and use Low Kick!" Lenora ordered. Watchog attempts to dodge, but got hit by Oshawott's Scalchop. "Now, use Sacred Sword!" Oshawott swings his scalchop while it takes shape of a sword.
"Dodge it!" Lenora called out. Watchog avoids Oshawott's Sacred Sword. Lenora was impressed. "That was impressive, Sora. I never expected your Oshawott to know Sacred Sword. You are full of surprises. But now, it's serious. Watchog! Use Confuse Ray!" Watchog unleashed Confuse Ray and it struck Oshawott, making him confused.
"Uh-oh," Ventus said.
"Now, Oshawott's confused," Meowth said.
"And that just adds on to the list of problems Sora has," Aqua said. Kairi had faith that Sora will pull through.
"Hang in there, Oshawott. I know you can do it," Sora said.
"Now, use Thunderbolt!" Lenora ordered. Watchog has unleashed Thunderbolt and it lands a shock onto Oshawott.
"That's a super-effective hit," Iris said.
"Axew," Axew said.
"Oshawott has taken heavy damage from Thunderbolt! This could be all over for Oshawott that's for sure!" Cilan said. Oshawott stumbled around as Sora had to think of something. Then, something unexpected happens. Oshawott has learned how to use Aqua Jet. Oshawott shuts his eyes and goes around.
"What's going on?" Meowth asked.
"Oshawott is using Aqua Jet! He must have learned it!" Kairi said. Oshawott kept going with Aqua Jet and it heads right towards Watchog.
"Try to avoid it!" Lenora called out. Watchog tried to avoid Oshawott's Aqua Jet, but he was coming too fast to dodge, so Watchog is struck by Aqua Jet and is taken down. Oshawott has stopped using Aqua Jet and opened his. Hawes was shocked by the sight.
"Watchog is unable to battle! Oshawott wins!" Hawes announced.
"Way to go, Oshawott!" Sora said.
"Oshawott," Oshawott said, rubbing the back of his head. Lenora calls back Watchog and she smiled.
"You battled well, Watchog. You deserve a good long rest," Lenora said. She looked right at Sora. "Well done, Sora. Your Oshawott learning a new move in the middle of a battle has surprised me. Looks like it's back to my first." She took out Herdier's Pokéball and threw it. "Come back out, Herdier!" Lenora called out. Herdier came on out to battle against Sora.
"You still good to go, Oshaowott?" Sora asked.
"Osha!" Oshawott responded.
"Great! Now, use Aqua Jet!" Sora ordered. Oshawott uses Aqua Jet. Oshawott shuts his eyes again and he goes all over the place. "That's not how I planned it out."
"Okay, Herdier! Use Giga Impact!" Lenora ordered. Herdier launches itself at Oshawott with Giga Impact. Herdier lands a hit, earning a knockout for Lenora's favor.
"Oshawott is unable to battle! Herdier wins!" Hawes announced.
"Now the both of them are down to one Pokémon left," Ventus said.
"And Sora has to make it count," Terra said.
Sora took out Scraggy's Pokéball and threw it.
"Back to action, Scraggy!" Sora called out. Scraggy pulls his pants up, only to fall again. "Okay, Scraggy, Oshawott's down, and you're the only one left to go on. So, how about it? Planning on giving it your all?" Scraggy nodded. "Great! Low Kick!" comes running towards Herdier with Low Kick ready to go.
"Dodge and use Shadow Ball!" Lenora ordered. Herdier avoids Scraggy's Low Kick and unleashed Shadow Ball.
"Defend!" Sora called out. Scraggy uses his lower skin to block Herdier's Shadow Ball and the ball of shadow bounces right at off.
"What just happened?" Iris asked.
"Scraggy's lower skin has been used as a shiled. That plan was perfectly ripe," Cilan said.
"Sora accidentally found that out when he was training. Dwebble was accidentally knocked out when Pansear was horsing around with Panpour, so he used it to block the rock. Dwebble was just happy his hiome wasn't cracked," Kairi said.
"Sweet!" Ventus said.
Lenora smirked, feeling impressed by Sora's resolve and Scraggy's flexible lower skin.
"Once again, you surprised me. Now, let's see how you have a handle on this," Lenora said. "Okay, Herdier! Use Giga Impact!" Herdier charges towards Scraggy with Giga Impact. Sora knew it'll cause some heavy damage when that hits, so he had to get Scraggy to dodge.
"Scraggy! Dodge it quickly!" Sora called out. Scraggy ran to dodge it. It was a close call when Giga Impact missed.
"A close shave," Cilan said.
"But the good news is that Herdier won't attack again right away after using Giga Impact," Meowth said.
"Sora, this is your chance!" Kairi said.
"Scraggy! Focus Blast!" Sora ordered. Scraggy forms a ball of energy and hurls it right at the loyal dog Pokémon. It misses its mark.
"Looks like your Scraggy's aim is off," Lenora said. The ball of energy turns around and lands a hit onto Herdier. "Huh?"
"Huh?" Hawes asked.
"Wasn't expecting that, but I'll take it! Scraggy! Use Headbutt!" Scraggy ran towards Herdier with Headbutt.
Herdier! Use Protect!" Lenora ordered. Scraggy's Headbutt bounces off. Sora smirked since Scraggy was close enough.
'Gotcha. Low Kick!" Sora ordered. Scraggy gave Herdier a Low Kick, dealing some damage onto it.
"Way to go, Sora!" Ventus said.
"So that's it. Headbutt was a trick for me to use Protect, and then have Scraggy use Low Kick to deal some damage. That's very clever. Herdier! Use Take Down!"
"Scraggy! Use Low Kick!" Sora ordered. Scraggy ran towards Herdier. Herdier lands a hit with Take Down as Scraggy lands a hit with Low Kick. The two of them stood their ground. Everyone were anxious to see if Scraggy has landed the finishing blow. Herdier fell to the ground. Beaten. Hawes was surprised to see his wife lose the battle, but his duties as a referee came first when it came to Gym battles.
"Herdier is unable to battle! Scraggy wins! The winner of the battle is Sora from Pallet Town!" Hawes announced.
"Sora won!" Iris said.
"That means Badge number two!" Cilan said. Lenora went up to Herdier with a smile.
"Well done, Herdier. You battled hard," Lenora said. Herdier felt batter about losing as she called it back. Lenora went up to Sora with a smile. "Congratulations on your win, Sora. You have exceeded my expectations in every way."
"I agree. Not many would have done what you just did, Sora," Hawes said.
"So, here's the proof of your victory of the Nacrene City Gym: The Basic Badge," Lenora said, handing Sora a Badge that is shaped like a purple spine of a book. Sora accepted it and he held it.
"Thanks, Lenora," Sora said.
"No, thank you. You keep on winning those battles," Lenora said.
"Now that Sora has Badge number two, Kairi can now have her Contest in Virbank City," Iris said.
"If you're heading there, I can point you in the right direction on how to get there," Lenora said.
"How do we get to Virbank CIty from here, Lenora?" Terra asked.
"You can get to Nacrene City from here just by going through the Pinwheel Forest just outside of town. And then you will go through Castelia City," Lenora instructed.
"And it might interest you to know that the next Gym is located in Castelia City," Hawes added. Sora was in a tight pickle since he knew about Kairi's Contest. Sora hung his head since he had to choose one of the other.
After leaving th Nacrene City Gym, the group heads for the Pokémon Center to heal up Oshawott and Scraggy from their battle. Afterwards, they headed for the Pokémon Battle Club as soon as Scraggy and Oshawott was healed up.Hugh was waiting for Sora to come back.
"How did it go?" Hugh asked. Sora shows him his second Gym Badge.
"Got my Badge," Sora said.
"Good. We can have our battle. Don George is waiting to ref," Hugh said. "Also, the battle will be one-on-one." Sora agreed to it. The group follows Hugh to the battlefield as Don George is acting as the referee.
"The battle between Hugh and Sora is about to begin! Both trainers will be using one Pokémon each, and the battle is over when the one Pokémon is unable to battle! Is that understood?" Don George asked.
"Yes," Sora and Hugh responded.
"Then, begin!" Don George said. Hugh took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Dewott!" Hugh called out. Dewott came on out to battle against Sora. He looked right at his partner.
"Go for it, Pikachu!" Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said. He enteres the battlefield.
"Dewott! Use Razor Shell!" Hugh ordered. Dewott came at Pikachu with Razor Shell.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu avoids Dewott's Razor Shell. "Now, use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail right at Dewott and it blocks with Razor Shell. Pikachu and Dewott stare right at each other.
"Use Ice Beam!" Hugh ordered. Dewott unleashed Ice Beam right at the mouse Pokémon.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu avoids Dewott's Ice Beam. "Now, use Thunder!" Pikachu unleashed Thunder and it lands a hit onto Dewott. The discipline Pokémon was still standing on its feet.
"That Dewott is still standing after taking that Thunder," Ventus said.
"Dewott! Come at Pikachu with your Aqua Jet!" Hugh ordered. Dewott dashed right at Pikachu with Aqua Jet. Dewott came too fast for Pikachu to dodge. Pikachu stood back up on his feet, barely able to keep going. "Now, use your Water Gun!" Dewott unleashed Water Gun.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered.Pikachu unleashed a powerfuul Thunderbolt and the discipline Pokémon fell to the ground, beaten.
"Dewott is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! The battle goes to Sora!" Don George announced. He turned to Hugh. "You battled well, Hugh. Take your Dewott to be healed."
"I will," Hugh said. He turned to Sora. "I would like to speak with you if you don't mind."
"Sure," Sora said.
"Sora, don't take too long," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'll try not to," Sora said. Sora and Hugh went to talk whle Hugh went to heal Dewott. "So, something on your mind?"
"There is. You been hearing about Team Plasma?" Hugh asked. Sora looked right at him.
"If you're talking about the guys who said they're going to liberate Pokémon from trainers just because they decided they should, not caring about the law, then yeah, I heard of them. We took them on just recently," Sora said.
"Then you know what I'm getting at. The reason for the battle was just so I could test you; and you came through for me," Hugh said. Sora looked right at him.
"A test?" Sora asked.
"Yes. I wanted to see for myself if you were worthy, and you didn't disappoint me," Hugh said.
"Worthy for what?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked.
"Worthy for my war against Team Plasma," Hugh said. Sora stopped in his tracks.
"You're fighting a war against Team Plasma?" Sora asked.
"Team Plasma is the enemy to Pokémon trainers, not only in the Unova region; the entire world. They will stop at nothing until there aren't any trainers left to oppose them. That's why they're really doing all this. They're actually afraid of us. And they should be," Hugh said. Sora didn't know how to react to what Hugh had to say.
"Why me exactly. It feels like you didn't tell me enitrely," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"I told you what you need to know, Sora. I'm going to need a trainer like you to help me strike a blow onto Team Plasma, because those bastards deserve it," Hugh said. He took in a deep breath. "You don't need to answer right away. I'll send you my Xtransceiver, so that we can keep in touch. Until then, Sora." He took off to the healing center. Sora had a look into his aura and he could tell he was hiding something. He could see that he does hate Team Plasma with a passion, but he felt there was more to the story than he was telling. He decided not to dwell on it too much as he went to rejoin his friends. Upon returning to the group, Kairi has made some of Sora's favorite dishes for him.
"Here you go, Sora. Your mom's recipes," Kairi said. Sora smiled as he happily ate it.
"Don't tell my mom, but this is even better than the way she makes it," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. And don't worry, your mom won't know," Kairi said. Sora and Kairi shared a laugh.
Night came as the couple had returned to the Pokémon Center. Kairi noticed that Sora was still awake.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"That's what I was going to ask you, Sora. I can tell when something is on your mind," Kairi reminded her boyfriend. He laughed.
"You might not have the power of aura like I do, but you don't need that kind of power to read me like a book," Sora said. Kairi giggled.
"You're right. I would like to know what's on your mind," Kairi said. Sora took a deep breath and answered his girlfriend.
"Team Plasma," Sora said. Kairi didn't like where it was going, but she did ask.
"What about them?" Kairi asked.
"That's what Hugh wanted to talk to me about," Sora said. "I looked into his aura and saw that he doesn't like them, but does anyone? He wanted me to join him in a war against Team Plasma." Kairi was confused by what he was talking about.
"A war against Team Plasma?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah. Hugh wasn't specific enough abiut the details. I was looking into his aura and I didn't see too much. I think he's hiding something," Sora said.
"And you couldn't see it?" Kairi asked.
"I don't fully understand it, but it feels like my power won't tell me everything," Sora said. Kairi placed her hand on Sora's shoulder.
"There are some things no one can get. Your dad probbay didn't understand his gift fully before he died, but he probably knew enough. And you should probably know enough," Kairi said.
"You're right. I guess I'm just worrying over nothing, at least I hope I am," Sora said. "I'm glad we had this talk."
"Me too. And there's something else," Kairi said. Sora rubbed the back of his head.
"Okay, it's about your Contest. To get to Virbank CIty, we'll have to make our way to Castelia City first, but we that's where the next Gym is. I'm just worried that my Gym battle might not let us get there in time," Sora said.
"Is that what was bothering you at first? I think we can make time since we have to make it through the Pinwheel Forest," Kairi said.
"You're right. We'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it," Sora said.
"Now to sleep, because you need your rest," Kairi said. The couple kissed each other and fell right to sleep. Unaware, Cilan was listening on their conversation.
"This is an unexpected flavor to Sora's backstory. I knew there was more to him than meets the eye," Cilan said in his thoughts. Cilan fell right to sleep.
The couple both shared loving dreams as they held on to each other. more adventures will come along soon.