"Do you happen to be heading home any time soon?" Luxray grumbles as Catherine paces around.
"Uh... No, I think I'll stay here for awhile..." Catherine says.
Luxray sighs in annoyance.
"Hungry now?" Maple asks.
"NO! STOP ASKING ME THAT!" Luxray roars.
"I'm just trying to look out for you!" Maple says.
"I can look out for myself," Luxray grumbles.
Catherine gets tired and plops down on a rock.
"What am I to do?!" Catherine wails.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself and go home," Luxray says.
"No, no, can't do that..." Catherine says.
"And why not?" Luxray asks.
"No reason! I just can't, okay? What, do you expect me to swim home?! Can Pikachu even swim?!" Catherine cries out.
"Shouldn't you know?" Luxray asks.
"...right... No? I do not think Pikachu can swim," Catherine says.
She glances warily at Luxray. Luxray, being 3 feet and 3 inches taller than her towers over her. She is unaware of his visual powers to see right through things.
"You seem nervous..." Luxray says.
This makes Catherine even more nervous and she gulps and shifts anxiously.
"Afraid of something... Can't be just a fear of me. Listen, I do not eat Pikachu," Luxray says.
Maple waves hello and Luxray growls at her, making her giggle.
"I... I'm not nervous..." Catherine says.
"Universe, I do not trust this girl," Luxray says, turning to face his Vulpix friend.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. To me, she's just a lost Pikachu," Universe says.
"Hey guys, I have an idea!" Maple says.
"Whatever it is, no!" Luxray growls.
"I was just going to suggest we run off and look at this cool red stone I found the other day!" Maple says.
"Red stone? Is it a Fire Stone?" Universe asks.
A Fire Stone would turn Universe into a Ninetails. While Universe doesn't necessarily want to change yet, she still is interested in the idea.
"Maybe? I don't know..." Maple says.
"I guess it could be worth a look... How far away is it?" Luxray asks.
"Uh... I don't remember..." Maple says and sweats nervously.
"Are you all going to leave me here?" Catherine asks.
The sun light sparkles off her golden fur, nearly making the star print on her belly appear to glow.
"Come with us! There is plenty of room..." Maple begins.
"No! I will not carry any Pikachu!" Luxray yells.
"...Or you could walk with us..." Maple says, shrugging.
"Yeah, I'll walk," Catherine says.
Maple leads the way because she knows where the stone was. She carries Maple 2 with her. Universe is next in the line followed by Catherine. Luxray sticks to the back, keeping an eye on everyone.
"I hope we don't run into any trouble!" Maple says, nearly tripping over a rock.
"Ugh... This is about to be a long journey..." Luxray groans.
