The road to Junction Peak was a dirt path through the forest, like many others in the land of Pokémon. It was fairly straight, but branched off in many directions. As usual, Ash was leading the group.
"I'm sure we've been here before," said Misty. "Do you know where you're going, Ash?"
"Of course!" said Ash. "We'll get there soon."
"We're going to get lost again," Misty muttered.
An hour later, Ash said to Misty, "Why do you always have to be right? We're lost."
"Great," sighed Misty.
"Does this happen a lot?" Tai wondered.
"Yes," Misty answered. "Oh! Look at that!"
Up ahead was an area where everything had been destroyed, but not by any weapon. Everything looked washed-out, drained, lifeless.
"What happened here?" said Tai.
"Beats me," said Ash.
"Look there!" said Joe.
Joe had found a message hastily scratched into the bare dirt: "Shinosama was here."
"So this is what Shinosama does," said Ash. "We've got to stop him."
"I think I'm wilting," said Palmon. "Whatever did this, it's still here and it's working on us. Let's go."
"Okay. Now we have to get back on the right road. Maybe I should go back to the corner and try turning another way . . ."
"Hey," Sora said suddenly, "is that Junction Peak?"
Everyone looked where she was pointing. They saw a high mountain with a large building on top and a visible dark aura all around it.
Ash laughed a little. "Yeah, that's it. Thanks, Sora." They continued in the direction of the mountain.
It drives me crazy when he gets lost like that, Misty thought, but he and I are still friends. I love him, in fact; I have for a long time now, and he has no idea how I really feel. I want to tell him, but I'm afraid of how he'll react. What if I lose him? What am I going to do?
To be continued . . .
Disclaimer: Digimon belongs to Saban, Fox, Toei Animation, et al.
Pokémon belong to Nintendo, Creatures, Gamefreak et al. No
money is being made off this; I write because it's fun. :-)