"Alright, where the hell is the path, Bolt?!" said Sky as his head popped out of a bush.

"I could have sworn it was this way," said the other boy as his head popped up a few inches from Sky.

"Maybe your math is off!" yelled Rainbow as her head popped out.

Soon the rest of the girls all popped out. After their adventure in the Battle Chateau, the group continued their march toward Cloudsdale. However, as they entered the nearby dense forest, Silverbolt began to take the lead as he said he knew a shortcut. To make a long story short, the group was now lost thanks to Bolt's slightly off information.

"Nice shortcut, Bolt!" growled Aj as the rest of the girls glared at the boy who was walking ahead of them.

Safe to say, all six girls felt like strangling their companion for getting them lost.

"I said I'm sorry," pleaded Silverbolt.

"We can't even get a signal on our Pokédexs to look at the map!" said Applejack.

"Some former Champion! Can't even guide us through a forest!" shouted Rainbow.

"Alright, let's calm down!" said Sky as he got them all to stop. "Obviously, Bolt's sense of direction isn't good."

"Gee, thanks," said Bolt as he felt like Sky should have had his back, seeing as he was the only other male in this dominant group of girls.

"But at least we're close to where we initially started. I say, we split up into groups and see if we can find the trail."

"You sure that's a good idea, darling? Need I remind you that going off the track was how we got lost in the first place," stated Rarity as she started to feel the effects of her hair being frizzled.

"No sweat, Rares. Noctowl, come on out!" shouted Sky as he threw a Pokéball. Out came the owl as he flapped in the air. "Rainbow, Aj, Bolt, call out your flying Pokémon."

The three called upon their Pokémon as Taillow, Heracross, and Rowlet appeared.

"Each of us breaks into pairs; if any of us finds the trail, we let the Pokémon know to go fetch the others. Sound like a plan?" asked Sky.

"Right," nodded the girls in unison.

The eight teens broke as Rarity went with Sky and Noctowl, Rainbow with Pinkie and Taillow, and Applejack with Fluttershy and Heracross, leaving Twilight to tag along with Silverbolt and Rowlet as they all went in different directions.

"Noctowl, see anything!" shouted Sky as he looked upwards at his Pokémon.

Noctowl sounded as he shook his head before turning around and continuing searching.

"Sky, some assistance, please!" called out Rarity as she struggled to climb a boulder.

"Grab my hand, Rarity!" said the boy as he bent down and stretched his arm out.

The fashionista climbed up a bit as she extended her left arm out. The teens were trying to grab the other's hand as their fingers were inches from touching. Soon Sky managed to grab the girl's hand as he began to pull the girl up. Rarity reached the top as she took some breaths in.

"Thanks, Sky."

"Don't mention it, Rarity," said the boy as he was on a knee with the girl dusting her skirt and knees.

The pair heard something as they saw Noctowl flapping in a circle above them.

"What is it, Noctowl? You found something?" asked Sky.

The owl gave a sound and nodded as he began to fly away.

"Let's follow him!" said Sky as he quickly got to his feet and ran.

"Sky, wait up!" shouted Rarity as she didn't like all this running.

The boy was following his owl as Rarity was doing her best to keep up behind him. Eventually, Noctowl exited a section of the forest and stopped. Sky then appeared as he, too, halted. Rarity was still running as she didn't realize that the pair had stopped. She ran past them as her footing started to wobble. The girl was now about to fall over a giant drop to the forest below; Rarity was then yanked back by her hand as Sky pulled her in close to him.

"Next time, look before you leap," said Sky to the girl.

"Thanks for saving me again," expressed Rarity to the boy as he released her from his grip.

The pair turned to look at the view in front of them as they saw the forest below them. Not only that, but they saw the trail they had been following before getting lost.

"Looks like we find our way out of here. Good work, Noctowl!" said Sky to his Pokémon as it nodded. "Go let the others know."

The Pokémon obeyed its trainer's command as it flew into the air to let the others know. Once everyone was rounded up, the group was now on the cliff Rarity and Sky were on as they looked at the foliage below.

"So, we walk through that until we get there?" asked Fluttershy.

"Wow, it's huge!" stated Pinkie as she looked at how massive the forest was below them.

"As long as we walk straight through it, we'll be out in no time, but if we wander off, we could find ourselves in a natural maze. Again!" glared Twilight at Silverbolt, with the other girls doing the same.

"Yeesh, you girls aren't letting me live this down," said Bolt as he felt the girls were still upset with him.

"One thing about a woman, darling. We hold onto our anger for a long time," said Rarity as Bolt was now in the hot seat.

"So long as we're careful, we'll be fine," said Sky as he began to head down with the others following him.

The group was walking along the trail as the trees around them were massive and more gigantic than regular ones.

"It's so nice being in a lush forest!" said Fluttershy as she enjoyed being surrounded by nature.

"You said it. The air is so fresh, and the sunlight is so bright that this forest must be home to some amazing Pokémon. Reminds me of back home." stated Applejack.

"I hope we come across a whole bunch of 'em!" said Rainbow with excitement.

At that moment, something was swinging as it collided with Sky directly in the face, as the boy was knocked to the floor.

"Sky!" shouted the girls.

"I'm okay," said the boy as he sat up and rubbed the back of his neck.

"What the hell was that?!" stated Rainbow.

The group looked in front of them as the object that attacked them was shown. It was a small larval Pokémon that resembled a caterpillar or silkworm. Its body was covered in a green leafy coat, and it had a hood-like leaf encircling the back of its head. It had a round yellow head with two lumps on top. It had small black eyes, an orange mouth, and two sharp teeth visibly protruding from its upper jaw. It had a white neck and six tiny orange stubby feet.

"Who's that Pokémon?" said Sky as he pulled out his Pokédex.

"Sewaddle, the Sewing Pokémon. Sewaddle makes clothing for itself by sewing leaves together with the sticky thread it produces from its mouth. Fashion designers often use it as a mascot."

"Sewaddle also knows how to design and make their clothing out of leaves," said Twilight.

"It's simply divine!" screeched Rarity.

The others all looked at the fashionista as she had big eyes.

"Oh, look at those leaves. The colors, the designs. That cute little leaf hood on its head. And the silk. I could think of so many new designs and materials with that. I must have it!" shouted the fashionista.

"Huh?" said the group.

"Sky!" yelled Rarity as she pulled him to his feet. "Be a dear and catch that Sewaddle for me, will you?"

"Uh, sure. But, why don't you do it?" asked the boy as he was willing to help a friend.

"Oh, please. I don't engage in meaningless battles; that's not how a lady behaves. Plus, you're better at battling than me. Pretty please?" said the fashionista as she leaned on his shoulder and gave him a flirty expression.

"Alright, fine," said Sky as he stepped forward.

Sewaddle saw the boy challenging him as he wasn't backing down.

"Now, Pikachu, I choose you!" shouted Sky as he threw his Pokéball.

"Pika!" shouted the mouse Pokémon as he appeared.

Sewaddle didn't let Sky give Pikachu a command before it fired a String Shot as it attached to a tree branch above. The small silkworm began to swing as it kicked Pokémon in the face, sending the yellow rodent into the air.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu turned its body in midair to land on its feet. He then charged up as he let loose a bolt of electricity. Sewaddle avoided it by pulling itself upward as it was still attached to the String Shot from its mouth. The insect Pokémon then charged up as it pointed itself at Pikachu as a Razor Leaf was heading its way.

"Dodge it!" instructed Sky.

Pikachu began to backflip consecutive as it dodged the massive spread of Razor Leaf. With Pikachu focused on dodging, Sewaddle took that momentary distraction to leap into the air as it fired another String Shot from its mouth. Pikachu had landed on his feet to avoid the last of the Razor Leaf when the silk attached to his forehead. Sewaddle then pulled itself in quickly as it collided with the rodent. The bug then had the tiny teeth on its mouth glow as it began to bite into Pikachu's head.

Pikachu felt the biting from Sewaddle as it was jumping into the air cartoonish while trying to shake the small thing off.

"It's using Bug Bite!" said Silverbolt.

"Come on, Pikachu. Shake it off!" instructed Sky.

Pikachu landed as it reeled its head back and then threw Sewaddle to the ground like a football as it spiked the ground. It managed to free the bug off him, but Sewaddle landed on its feet and faced the electric-type Pokémon like it wasn't hurt.

"Pikachu, you okay?" asked Sky as his Pokémon gave an affirmative response. "Use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu took off as, once again, Sewaddle shot out a String Shot from its mouth to quickly move upward and avoid Pikachu's move. The mouse turned around as Sewaddle fired another String Shot. Pikachu moved on instinct as the silk was heading toward Sky, as the boy could see it coming. He let out a scream as the forest was shown, and it echoed a bit.

"Sky, you okay?" asked Pinkie as the others saw him on the floor.

He quickly got to his feet as he was now shown wrapped up in a huge ball of silk that looked like yarn. Sewaddle landed and was content with what it did to the boy.

"Alright, you got my attention now. I would keep you if I wasn't catching you for Rarity. You're a strong one." stated Sky as he seemed to be more fired up on catching the insect.

Sewaddle merely used one of its paws and taunted the boy to bring it.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!" said Sky.

Pikachu had its tail glow and received a metal coating; the Pokémon swung it as it slashed at the silk surrounding Sky before it was torn to pieces, freeing his trainer.

"Thanks, bud!" said Sky as Pikachu was happy, "Now, Pikachu. It's time to use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu gave an affirmative sound as he curled himself up. He charged up and let loose a powerful Thunderbolt as it collided with Sewaddle. The small Pokémon felt the power of the mouse as the attack sent him colliding into a tree. Sewaddle shook the pain off before he turned to fire a String Shot and began to swing away.

"It's getting away!" said Sky.

"After it!" said Rarity as she began to book it.

"Rarity, wait!" said Sky as Pikachu began to follow his trainer.

"Here we go again," groaned Twilight as the others began to chase after their two friends.

"Well, at least it's not my fault this time," said Bolt.

"Oh, no. Your ass is still getting it, geek!" shouted Rainbow as the girls weren't letting him forget about him being the reason they were lost.

Sewaddle was swinging through the trees as Rarity, Sky, and Pikachu chased it.

"Sewaddle, get back here!" said the boy, still wanting to catch the Pokémon for the girl.

The boy was trying to catch up with the Pokémon and didn't pay attention to what was in front of him. Sky soon tripped on a root and fell face-first into the ground.

"Sky!" said Rarity as she and Pikachu turned.

Sewaddle was still swinging as he looked to disappear. The fashionista looked to see the Pokémon disappear as she rushed over to check on her friend.

"Sky, are you okay, darling?" asked the girl as she bent down as the boy was getting to his hands and knees.

"Pika, Pika," said Pikachu as he was concerned for his trainer.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," stated Sky as he groaned but didn't suffer anything major.

The others finally caught up as they saw their friends.

"Where's Sewaddle?" asked Sky to Rarity.

"Looks like Sewaddle got away," stated the fashionista.

"Aw, man. I'm sorry, Rarity. I knew how much you wanted it."

"It's alright, darling. I appreciate you trying," smiled the girl to her friend.

"Now, what do we do? We're lost again!" shouted Rainbow.

"I wanna keep looking for Sewaddle, but I don't know," stated Sky as he stood up.

"This forest is a natural maze like we've never seen. It's too dangerous," stated Twilight.

"I guess you're right," sighed Sky. "We better get back on the path."

With the group giving up on catching Sewaddle, they began to head back in the direction they came from. It seemed Pinkie had dropped some breadcrumbs as she remembered from one of the stories that her parents read to her when she was little. And that was if you're ever lost, to leave a trail of food to find your way home. Or so she thought that was the lesson.

The group followed the pink girl as she led them back to where they started before Rarity took off after Sewaddle. However, the trail of breadcrumbs was long gone.

"That's strange. We should be close to the exit by now," stated Pinkie as she looked about.

"Maybe it's the wrong way?" suggested Fluttershy.

"Nope, it's right," said Pinkie.

"You're sure?" said Applejack.

"Of course. My Pinkie sense, silly. I just know." smiled the pink-haired girl.

"More non-scientific explanations," said Twilight as she wasn't buying what the eccentric party teen was saying.

"Well, when I get a hunch, it's usually right," said Silverbolt.

"Yeah, usually!" glared Rainbow at the boy as he wasn't being let down for getting them lost.

"Shh!" said Pinkie as she put her hand up to silence. "I just heard the forest speak."

"Wha?" said Aj as she scratched her head at what Pinkie said.

Soon a sound was heard. But it wasn't the forest speaking, but moreso a rumbling. And it came from Sky's stomach.

"Man, I'm hungry. Sorry," chuckled the boy sheepishly as he rubbed his neck.

"I think the forest's voice was the sound of Sky's empty stomach," mocked Twilight.

"Nice try, Twilight. But I know the forest's voice when I hear it," said Pinkie. "This way."

The others all looked at Pinkie before they gave some nervous laughs. They all followed the girl as she led them in a direction.

"Oopises," said Pinkie as she had a stunning face.

Pinkie led the group to a cavern as they were rock spires between the massive canyon.

"Forest's voice, huh?" mocked Rainbow.

"Uh, the forest told us to go this way so that it can show us this magnificent scenery," said Pinkie nervously as she pointed across the cavern.

"Come again?" said Rarity in disbelief.

"Whatever you say, Pinkie," stated Silverbolt.

"It looks like what they say is true. Get off the path for one second, and now you're lost," said Applejack.

"The best and smart thing to do in times like these is to get to higher ground and see where we are," suggested Twilight. "Like over there."

Twilight pointed to their right as a massive tree lay atop a hill.

"She's right. We'll be able to see far from that tree's top, " Sky replied.

The group was now making their way to the giant tree. It wasn't long before they arrived; they stared at the massive tree.

"That's one big ass tree!" said Rainbow.

"I'll go check it out!" said Sky.

"Wait. I'm coming!" said Rainbow as she wanted to climb up.

"Be careful!" said Fluttershy.

Soon Silverbolt and Applejack began to chase after their friends as they, too, were gonna climb. Sky and Rainbow were already climbing the vines on the tree as Applejack and Bolt were running up the bark. Only for the boy to slide down the slope. Bolt quickly picked himself back up and ran back up the slope.

Up ahead, Sky and Rainbow were still climbing as the boy reached up to grab a branch to pull himself. He popped his head out as he was looking at the view in front of him.

"What do you see?" asked Rainbow, who was lower than Sky.

"Nothing but an amazing view," spoke the boy.

"Hey! You guys alright!" shouted Twilight upwards.

"Yeah! But I'm not seeing anything to help us determine where we are!" yelled Sky.

"So, what do we do now?" asked Rarity.

"Uh, panic?" suggested Fluttershy.

"Well, seeing as how we haven't eaten. I think it's best if we break for supper," suggested Twilight as the others seemed to agree. "Climb back down. We'll figure out something after we eat!"

"On it!" said Sky as the four climbed teens began to make their way down.

The group was now preparing to have lunch as Applejack, Sky, and Twilight had the food out, and a campfire set up to heat the pot above its flame. The trio was getting things prepped as the others were doing their thing. Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Silverbolt were with all of the Pokémon. Rainbow was up in a tree as she was still trying to see if she could find a way out of them.

Rarity was leaning against the massive tree bark as she had a drawing pad on her knees. The girl was brainstorming new ideas as the sound of her pencil scribbled against the pad. Next to her was Delcatty as the Pokémon was curled up and nesting alongside her trainer.

Rarity pushed up her sewing glasses as her concentration was at an all-time high. She finished her drawing when Sky approached her.

"Food is ready," said the boy.

"Thanks, darling," Rarity's hands stopped suddenly, and she turned the pad in his direction without looking at him. "Well? Be honest."

He stopped and took in the rough sketch's curves and flourishes. "It's... a dress?"

A pair of dazzling blues flicked his way dangerously.

"It's a very nice dress."

Rarity tried to maintain the serious look on her face but couldn't help but smile. "Oh, you adorable moose." She sighed as she reached up and removed her glasses.

The fashionista stood up as Delcatty yawned and began to follow her trainer. The teens and their Pokémon began to munch away as the sun lowered and turned orange. As Eevee was rocking Metapod back and forth with Slurpuff, the cocoon blinked its eyes as he could do nothing. Just then, he let out a sound and then began to glow. The glowing from Metapod got everyone's attention as they looked to see the cocoon crack open.

Emerging from the cocoon was something as it sprouted wings. It had a large purple body with light blue limbs and a nose with very small fangs. Its eyes were quite large in proportion to its head and were a red color. The large wings appeared as black and white butterfly wings.

"Free!" said the Pokémon as it soared above the air.

"What's that?" said Rainbow as she pulled out her Pokédex.

"Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon, and the evolved form of Metapod. Butterfree's wings are covered in scales that carry poison. When attacked, it flutters its wings madly to scatter these scales. Its large, compound eyes are formed of many tiny eyes."

"So... Metapod evolved... into that?" said Rarity.

Fluttershy was standing up as Butterfree was hovering in front of the girl. She was smiling and having her eyes go big; Butterfree made some sounds before he snuggled against the girl's cheek as Fluttershy pulled her Pokémon into a hug.

The animal-loving girl was looking at her Pokémon as, in her mind, she was recalling all the memories of when she first found Caterpie. To think that small thing was now fully grown and evolved into something majestic. It made Fluttershy warm and comforting as Butterfree was feeling the same way.

Eevee was with Taillow as she reminded her pal of their small talk.

(Flashback)

"Someday, I'm gonna be a beautiful butterfly," said Caterpie.

"Yeah, sure," responded Taillow with a screech as he was in the same boat as Dash.

"There, there, it's okay. I believe you," said Eevee as she patted Caterpie on the head, who got sad hearing Taillow's response.

(End of Flashback)

"Well," smiled Eevee.

"I take it all back," spoke Taillow as he was forced to eat his words on how the puny little caterpillar was now something worthwhile.

Night time had fallen as the teens were up in the tree as there was a section of the tree that was stable enough to act as a ground to which they could all put their sleeping bags on.

"I've never slept in a tree before," Rarity said, as this was a first for her.

"Guessing you don't get out of the city much," said Silverbolt as he was shown a few meters away from the girl.

The teens were all positioned in a circle while staring at the stars. Soon a shining ball zoomed across the night sky.

"Oh, a shooting star!" said Pinkie.

"You definitely don't see those in the city," stated Twilight.

"Well, time we hit the hay," said Applejack as everyone let out a yawn after staring up at the stars for quite a bit.

The girls and Bolt all said good night as they tucked in. Aj noticed that Sky wasn't with them as she looked up. Leaning against the bark of a tree branch above them was the boy. He wasn't alone as Turtwig was in his lap, Pikachu on his right shoulder, Noctowl on his left, and Buizel was sitting in front of him. The boy had wanted to let his Pokémon see the stars themselves.

The country gal looked up to see her friend as the sight of him surrounded by his allies brought a smile to her face.

"Good night, Sky," said the farmer as she turned in for the night.

Sky was with his Pokémon pals as he looked down at the pendant around his neck. The boy held it in his hand as he was reminded of his parents.

"I wonder if they ever did this," muttered the boy as he tried to imagine his parents when they were on their adventure and if they ever did what he was doing.

Morning came as the sun shined down. The teens had climbed down and eaten some breakfast with their Pokémon as they were looking to continue their search to find their way out of this thick forest. Rainbow had Taillow scout ahead as the Pokémon managed to locate something. The chromatic-haired girl climbed the tree and looked in the direction her Pokémon gestured. Way off in the distance, there was a small Pokémon Center that was stationed.

"Thanks, Taillow," said Rainbow.

"Taillow!" said the Pokémon as the girl recalled it back.

"Hey, guys! I see something in the distance! It's a Pokémon Center!" stated Dash to the rest of them below.

"Then let's head over there!" stated Bolt.

The group began to head in the direction Rainbow saw the Pokémon Center. They had crossed a small river when suddenly they were stopped. In front of them was a familiar sight.

"Sewaddle!"

"Hey, it's that Sewaddle from before," stated Twilight.

"Sewaddle!" exclaimed the silkworm Pokémon as he managed to track the group. The small Pokémon was looking at Sky as he seemed to have some unfinished business with the boy.

"You wanna battle me?" asked Sky as Sewaddle nodded. "Hey, Rarity? Do you still want that Sewaddle?"

"If you would be so kind," stated the fashionista.

"Alright then, time to catch that Sewaddle. Pikachu, I choose you!" shouted Sky as he threw his Pokéball.

"Pika!" said the yellow mouse as he appeared.

Sewaddle immediately fired a String Shot as it swung along the trees around them.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" instructed Sky.

Pikachu charged up as he let loose his attack. It aimed at the insect, which barely missed it. Sewaddle then let go of its swing as it aimed its head at the rodent and shot out its Razor Leaf attack.

"Dodge it!" said Sky.

Pikachu heard his command as he began to backflip consecutively, avoiding the barrage of leaves. Sewaddle then fired another String Shot as it attached to the forehead of Pikachu.

"Pikachu, start running!" said Sky.

The yellow Pokémon then began to run as Sewaddle followed behind. With the mouse running at high speeds, the silkworm was waving in the air as he was holding on for dear life. He then let go and aimed another String Shot as it attached to a tree, and he pulled himself up.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack on the trees," said Sky.

Pikachu picked up its speed as it ran at the trees in front of him. The mouse began to bounce between them as he was wall-jumping to get to the height where Sewaddle was. The insect saw how fast Pikachu was moving; as soon it was in front of him, the rodent collided headfirst and he fell to the ground.

"Finish it up with Volt Tackle!"

Pikachu landed and quickly pushed off as it ran ahead full force with electricity surrounding its body. Sewaddle was coming as it shook itself when once more, Pikachu was moments away from connecting as it made contact in the blink of an eye. A beam of light shot into the air as an explosion sound followed.

Pikachu jumped back as Sewaddle was hurled through the air and collided with a tree.

"Pokéball, go!" shouted Sky as he tossed one at Sewaddle.

The ball bounced on Sewaddle's head before it opened up and began to surround the Pokémon in a red light before being sucked in. It closed as the ball fell to the ground and began to wobble. A few moments later, the shaking stopped as the light in the center stopped glowing red, and a sound was heard.

"Alright!" said Sky as he went to pick up the object. "Great work, Pikachu."

"Pika!" said the small rodent as he hopped onto Sky's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek against Sky's.

"Alright, I just caught a Sewaddle!" exclaimed the boy.

"Nicely done, sugar," stated Applejack as the pair approached their friend.

"Well, here you go, Rarity. As promised," said Sky as he handed the Pokéball to the girl.

"Thank you, darling."

"Just make sure you treat that Sewaddle right. He's a tough little thing."

"I'll be sure to," stated the fashionista.

She then held it out as the ball opened. A white light shot out as soon there was Sewaddle as he looked up at the girl. Rarity then bent down as she looked at the small silkworm.

"You and I are going to make an excellent team. I could use your silk and sewing skills for some of my designs. What do you say, care to take the fashion world by storm?" asked Rarity.

"Sewaddle," stated the silkworm as he seemed to be on board with that idea.

"Supposedly, Sewaddle can distinguish people and things by using the two sensory knobs on the top of their head. And that means, by touching your foreheads, you're saying hi," stated Twilight.

"Is that so?" said Rarity as she looked back at the silkworm.

"Sewaddle," exclaimed the Pokémon with a smile.

"Well, in that case," said the girl as she picked up the silkworm and held it to her face. She then pressed her forehead as it touched Sewaddle's knobs. "It's a pleasure to make your acquittance."

"Sewaddle," stated the Pokémon as he said hello to his mistress.

The girl pulled back as she smiled at her new sewing partner.

"Looks like the start of a beautiful partnership," smiled Fluttershy.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now let's get out of this forest already!" shouted Rainbow as she trekked on.

Eventually, the group arrived at the Pokémon Center that Rainbow spotted, and they took that opportunity to give their Pokémon some rest. Twilight got some information from the person in charge as she informed the girl that they were close to Cloudsdale. They would need to follow the road and soon arrive at their destination. With their Pokémon all taken care of, the group headed out as they were looking to make the final leg of their journey and arrive at the site of Aj and Sky's next Gym challenge.

Author's Note: After a small detour, the group has finally gotten on the right track. Not to mention, two new additions, in that Fluttershy now has a Butterfree, to think that Caterpie from a while back has fully evolved and Rarity has added a Sewaddle, courtesy of Sky catching it for her. Side note, with the release of the new Pokemon games coming out this Friday, expect some more chapters to be uploaded in preparation for them as I know that once they drop, I'll be playing it all day. Anyways, as always leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments on the chapter.