Location: Gentle Slope Cave entrance (night)
Date: June 30th

The things I do for Lyra.

Turns out Sheer Mountain Range is where hopes and dreams of all grass-types go to die. Fletchinders, Rufflets, Bergmites, and Drifloons were abound, meaning I had to deal with fire types, flying types and ice types...all things I'm weak to!

We were able to power through thanks to Emeras we picked up along the way and we found elixirs for when our moves ran out...which happened a LOT by the way. Here's hoping we never have to go back there again. Still, I guess it wasn't all bad. The tougher enemies provided more experience, and both Lyra and I gained a couple levels. I guess she can't evolve either. Strange for a natural denizen of this world but she said that even if she could evolve, she wouldn't. She wants to evolve at the same time I do, which was sweet of her to say.

Night fell by the time we cleared the mountain range, so we called it a day and set up camp. No matter how many times we've done this, it still feels strange. In a good way! Like we really are two animals roughing it in the wild. Lyra gave me a strange look when I tried to describe it, so I teased a bit by saying it must be a human thing that she wouldn't get.

She decided to tell me about the Pokémon Expedition Society, and in doing so she told me about the Pokémon Nexus, a device that has the power to create a map of the entire planet. The Expedition Society goes on adventures around the world and discovers all sorts of things to store as information in the Nexus.

Lyra reiterated how she really wants to help make the World Map and join the Expedition Society. Despite knowing that kids aren't allowed in, she's determined to try anyway. She somehow thinks that everything will be just fine.

I...don't get how she can do that. I noticed this before when she pranked the Drilbur so we could get into the coal mine, but...Lyra has a habit of just winging it and somehow things work in her favor. Obviously, that doesn't ALWAYS work, but…I mean, it's worked just fine thus far.

Maybe it's because Lyra believes that...there are alternatives to accomplishing her dreams. If we aren't allowed to join the Society, we're still Junior Expedition Society members, so we're still technically part of the Society. Our run-in with Ampharos truly was a stroke of luck. If nothing else, we'll keep doing work as junior members until we're old enough to join as full-fledged members.

Yeah...I guess things will be okay.

Still, Lyra's ability to look on the brighter side of an uncertain situation is admirable. I prefer evaluating a situation and considering both the positives and negatives before deciding how to proceed, but Lyra? She operates under the motto of, "Eh, let's proceed however we want and hope for the best!"

Admirable though her optimism is, it's also that same unthinking rashness that's gotten her into trouble before. Does she not remember leaving Goomy behind during that one expedition? Come to think of it, Goomy and Deerling both mentioned her rash antics had put them in dangerous situations in the past. It's good to look on the bright side, but it's critical to consider how the outcomes might affect those around you.

Well...I guess that's why I'm here. Even if I'm being led down this path by Lyra's rashness, it's my job to make sure we're being rational and logical along the way. Lyra's a little bit of an airhead sometimes, so it's my job to be her rock and prevent her from drifting away. Hate to be the crusher of childhood whimsy and naivete, but I can't let Lyra lead us astray with thoughtless fantasies. I am a realist, after all.

Y'know, it's funny I'm saying that when I'm the one who wanted to explore aimlessly while Lyra wanted to go to Lively Town. She's the one with a solid plan whereas I'm the one who wants to float about exploring wherever like an airhead. Does that make me a hypocrite? Eh, whatever.

It's also my job to act as a...an example of the consequences of her actions, I guess. If something bad happens to her, it'll happen to me too. I'm here to (hopefully) make her take a moment to think about how the outcomes of her choices will affect BOTH of us and not just her.

Heh. If I weren't a critical asset to our team, I wonder what kind of hot water we'd be in right now. I won't lie though, part of what makes Lyra so charming and fun to be around is her rash behavior. And despite her flaws and the criticism of her peers, she lets absolutely nothing hold her back. How many fire types would've been willing to brave Poliwrath River, let alone be excited to do so? How many Pokémon would've faced their worst fears to save two Pokémon who were nothing less than assholes to them the entire time?

Lyra is truly a gem, and I wouldn't change anything about her.

And...I guess I have no right to complain about the toughness of the Sheer Mountain Range if Lyra didn't complain about the toughness of Poliwrath River. Since we covered each other when we struggled in both mystery dungeons, I guess now we're even.

Well anyway, I should get some rest. Lyra said we should be close to Lively Town, so it's likely we'll arrive sometime tomorrow.

Time to take a page from Lyra's book and just trust that everything will work out somehow.