The road to the Sol Peninsula was straightforward, with sporadic forests and the occasional valley. The twins were straying away from massive mountain ranges, perhaps for the first time in their lives. The mountains extended across the eastern coast, so it seemed the twins were always a stone's throw away. Here, the land was just flat. The open horizon was something new to Jason and Kristine. The never ending ocean was one thing, but this was on land. There wasn't a sense of home and comfort, let alone something the twins were always accustomed to seeing a mountain or two in the backdrop. Just openness.
The twins noticed the fields they traversed through were sparsely populated. It seemed Kenalta was the major population hub for many miles. They weren't really far from the city, yet the dynamics seemed entirely different, as if they went from one world to the next on a whim.
Kristine wondered if there were designated pokemon centers or lodges in the area. There had to be, she came to the assumption, and there had to be trainers hailing from these parts. Jason liked the quietness of the landscape, but he missed the mountains that made him feel more closed in. Without them, it seemed like an endless void.
The twins continued south. The march to the Sol Peninsula progressed quickly, as they were able to cover about 20 miles a day. The flat terrain held that advantage over the mountains. The crucible known as the Nappalchan Mountains was a rugged and dangerous one. At the very least, the road south seemed like a cakewalk in comparison.
The twins had their routine figured out every day. First was breakfast and morning exercises. Then came the packing and morning hike. Then was lunch and training, the big break of the day. The afternoon march seemed like the easy part before the setting sun would prompt the twins to call it a day. Jason and Kristine had one thing in their arsenal that they didn't quite master in the Nappalchan Mountains: moderation. Jason, in particular, had a better grasp on knowing when to stop than before. That day when Jason almost died still lingered in his and Kristine's minds. That wasn't going to happen again.
Kristine became aware of one new issue: mental health. It was something that was there all along, but something she never focused on. Her emotions and actions in the past all were attributed to the state of her mental health, and that applied to Jason just the same. Seeing Jason's sudden breakdown after the thunderstone incident opened her eyes to that issue. And she knew it wasn't the thunderstone incident alone that set him off, but many events, each one stacking on Jason's shoulders. That incident was just enough for all that weight to crumble.
The length of this journey was going to take its toll. And not just a physical toll. Kristine figured she was going to get Jason to talk once in a while. And for her sake, she would need to talk as well. She began to wonder how on earth trainers complete this journey on their own. It must be the pokemon, she concluded. The trainer keeps their pokemon in their best form, and in turn, the pokemon keep the trainer sane. I guess having this knucklehead with me is a bonus.
One week went by. The fields and forests all seemed the same. The big difference was the heat. Every single day seemed just a little hotter. The smell of the air seemed different, away from the scent of trees further north and the cold, evergreen smell of the mountain ranges. It was hot air, maybe with a pinch of ocean salt; the twins were not far away from the Gulf of Sol to the southwest if they wanted to head in that direction.
It was a sunny afternoon, with few clouds in the sky. It seemed like another ordinary day down the road from Kenalta. The Sunshine Route, as it was officially named, gave the twins the impression it was endless. The occasional trainer passed by up to this point, with very few, if any, obtaining the Instinct Badge in Viceport. Kristine pointed out to Jason in recent days about a second badge nearby, the Hurricane Badge, within the Azure Islands. With the island chain roughly 60 miles from Viceport, Kristine figured a short boat ride was all that was needed to reach the islands. In theory, she and Jason could potentially snag two badges just days apart.
Jason pulled out his water canteen, getting a drink while he and Kristine were on the move.
"Easy, there," Kristine advised.
"There has to be a lot of water sources nearby, right?" Jason assumed.
"Probably, but let's not put ourselves in a situation where we can't find one when we need it most."
Jason closed his canteen after taking a small sip. "How far are we to PokeWorld?"
Kristine lightly shrugged. "One week maybe?"
Just then, a sign in the far distance became visible. As the twins approached it, they realized they hit a symbolic milestone in their travels, and most of all, just peace of mind where they exactly were.
"Welcome to the Sol Peninsula," Jason read the sign out loud. It was a wooden panel off the side of the road, with the large blue text more apparent due to the painting of the setting sun in the background.
"Looks like we're having our birthdays here after all," Kristine added.
The twin's birthdays were tomorrow. Kristine made sure to keep track of the calendar, where Jason wasn't concerned about.
"What's next?" Jason chuckled. "A pokemon lodge?"
A few minutes down the road answered that for him. A smaller path broke off, with a picket sign leading the way to a pokemon lodge.
"I wonder if it's like the ones in the Mountains," Kristine contemplated. "I could use a bath."
The twins ventured down the path. They figured doing so would mean they would call it a day just a little bit early, but they wanted to take advantage of the pokemon lodge while they could. A four story wooden building, with glass covering the entire front, was just ahead, settled next to a small lake. The abundance of trees off the main road gave the feeling of seclusion and refuge. It really was a hidden gem in the rough.
"Unless a gengar is really messing with us, this is awesome," Jason looked on.
Kristine shifted her head towards him. "I don't think a gengar is messing with us," she shifted her head back ahead to point out trainers coming and going from the lodge. "Unless you want to say all reality is controlled by ghost pokemon."
That sent shivers down Jason's spine. "I swear if you were a mismagius all along."
"Mismagius!" Kristine imitated the high pitched, feminine tone of a mismagius.
Jason looked right at Kristine in annoyed disbelief more than anything. "Really?"
Kristine only smiled.
The twins approached the lodge, walking up the steps and through the front entrance. The wooden interior and decor gave a sense of comfort, with the main difference between this lodge and the ones of the mountains being the absence of a fireplace. After gazing around for a moment to take in the atmosphere, the twins approached the counter, with Nurse Joy walking over a moment later.
"Hello!" Nurse Joy smiled and gave a welcoming nod. "Checking in?"
"Yep," Kristine confirmed. "We can take the same room if needed."
"Very well," Nurse Joy looked at her computer. "Can I see your trainer IDs please?"
"Yeah," Jason and Kristine placed their IDs on the counter before Nurse Joy.
"Let's see here," Nurse Joy typed away, validating the twins' identity. She noticed one detail in particular. "Oh, you have a birthday tomorrow. Or is it considered birthdays?"
"We hear both and use both," Kristine answered. "But from an individual standpoint, it's my birthday and his birthday so birthdays is technically correct."
"Well, happy early birthdays to both of you," Nurse Joy smiled. "I got you a room with two twin beds on the fourth floor. 417," she began to print two key cards.
"Thanks!" Kristine grabbed the key cards, handing one to Jason.
Jason was the first to turn around, only to see Liz standing there, red top and black leggings, with a massive grin on her face.
"Oh boy," Jason muttered, recollecting Liz's birthday shout to Amanda just a few feet away back near Pattersbaugh Falls.
Kristine turned around to see what was going on. "Oh. Hi Liz!"
"So you're 13 tomorrow, huh?" Liz asked the twins.
"Yep," Kristine nodded.
"Well, I can't be obnoxious about it just yet. Besides, you don't seem to be embarrassed as much as Amanda," Liz then looked at Jason. "On second thought, you look like you can be embarrassed just as much."
Jason's face turned red from embarrassment.
Liz laughed. "Didn't take much."
"How've you been, Liz?" Kristine asked. "It's been a while."
"Oh you know," Liz looked around. "I've been here for a couple days. It's quite relaxing, and I'm able to train my team here. We've got plenty of time before the Junior Circuit. Besides, you can register right here if you haven't already."
"Yep!" Nurse Joy added. She was able to bring up Jason and Kristine's profiles from before. "And you're eligible. Would you like to reg-"
"Yes!" Jason and Kristine both cut Nurse Joy off.
Nurse Joy laughed. "I'll put you in then."
"So that's you two, me, and Julian," Liz mentioned.
"Julian?" Jason became curious. "He's here?"
"Yep," Liz nodded. "Not sure where he is now, but I think he got in yesterday."
"All set!" Nurse Joy confirmed with the registration. "That makes 24 trainers ready to go, and we have less than a week before registrations close."
"This is gonna be a fun one," Liz had a diabolical sense of excitement on her face. Jason and Kristine noticed she was looking forward to the Junior Circuit, ready to fight either twin if necessary. It was as if she was craving that opportunity.
"I'll be looking forward to that rematch if it comes to it," Jason wasn't one to back down from a potential challenge.
"Has Magikarp evolved yet?" Liz bluntly asked.
"No," Jason shook his head. "Does that change anything?"
"Nope," Liz said as the three drifted away from the front counter to make room for any arriving trainers. "I'm just curious as to what happens if and when he evolves."
"Well, my team and I are ready more than ever," Jason spoke with determination.
"Good," Liz smirked. "I want nothing less from you. I will give it everything I got and I want my opponent to do the same in return."
"Count my team ready as well," Kristine added. "Speaking of, how's yours?"
"Can't be any prouder," Liz smiled. "John was rough, but nothing Charmeleon, Haunter, and Liepard couldn't handle."
"Sounds like a good matchup against him," Kristine commended. "Grats!"
"Thanks. We just needed to land some well timed attacks. How'd you guys beat him?"
"Tag battle," Jason explained. "John and his son Avery challenged us."
"Of course."
"With our mom and the professor that started us off as trainers in attendance," Kristine added.
"We're missing a lot of context there," Liz seemed confused.
"We had an interesting week," Jason said. "Let's just say we're looking forward to kicking back a bit."
"I see," Liz seemed to understand. "With your mom visiting, coincidence?"
"No. It was personal," Kristine left it at that.
"I won't pester you about it," Liz gave a nod.
"I'll tell you one day," Kristine lightly smiled.
"It's not my business. Don't worry about it," Liz stretched her arms. "I'll leave you two to unpack and whatnot. I'll catch you around, okay?"
"Sounds good," Kristine acknowledged. "See ya around."
"Yeah, see ya," Jason added.
Liz walked away and headed out of the pokemon lodge.
"She looks like she's ready to battle us," Kristine observed. "She's got her eyes on winning this thing."
"Not if one of us can stop it," Jason replied. "Remember, it's me and you in the final round."
"We need luck on our side. But yes, final round."
Jason and Kristine exchanged a fist bump before heading up three flights of stairs to the fourth floor. Kristine led the way to their room, scanning the key card above the handle to unlock the door. She opened it, revealing the wooden studio interior within, before turning to the bathroom. After poking her head around the corner within, she noticed the jacuzzi.
"Yes!" she cheered.
Jason laughed, taking the backpack off his shoulders and walking over to the far side to pull back the black window drapes. A beautiful view of the deep blue lake was below, surrounded by many different types of trees, from pine to hickory to magnolia. There were a handful of trainers outside, with more than two dozen pokemon running about, give or take. Jason quickly counted three water-faring pokemon at the nearby lake.
"I'm getting serious Lake Serenity vibes," Jason mentioned to Kristine, who approached him after putting down her backpack.
"It's a cute little lake," Kristine gazed through the window.
"It's not the biggest lake by any means, but Sol gives a good first impression," Jason looked on.
"Well, if you want the biggest lake in all of Inventum, that's Lake Sol," Kristine said. "About two or three weeks away if you travel nonstop, and conveniently in the way of Viceport."
"Lake Sol," Jason muttered. One of Inventum's most iconic lakes was on his list of places he needed to visit. A large part of the lake's fame came from a shiny gyarados known as Crimson Gyarados, rumored to lurk in the depths of Lake Sol. No one had definitive proof of the pokemon's existence, though any alleged 'proof' was largely dismissed as fake evidence. Still, there were those who argued that Crimson Gyarados was real, and those who claimed that Lake Sol was stealing the thunder of Lake Rage across the world in Johto just for tourism's sake.
"Wanna walk around it at least?" Kristine asked.
"Might as well," Jason turned to face his sister. "We can get the pokemon out too."
The twins proceeded out of their room and down the three flights of stairs to the lodge's lobby before heading out the front doors. Heading closer to the lake, Jason and Kristine let all of their pokemon out, with Jason releasing Magikarp within the lake. Dratini slithered in as soon as he was let out. The twins then began making a counter-clockwise lap around the lake.
"So," Kristine spoke up. "Talk to me. How are you feeling?"
"I feel great, to be honest," Jason took a deep breath. "My chest hurts a little less everyday."
"Yeah? And how do you feel about what's coming up ahead?"
"We got this," Jason looked ahead with pure confidence. "My team and I have got this."
Kristine smiled. "Good."
A moment passed before Jason figured he should also check on his sister. "So, how are you feeling?"
"Oh you know, I focus on what's ahead," Kristine glanced at Jason. "I feel confident, and I do my best to make Mom and Dad proud. And we've had no synced nightmares lately, so that's good too."
She had to bring it up, Jason thought. He remained silent on the matter, not knowing how to address that. In the dream, Jolteon seemed injured in some way, with Kristine aiding him. Then came the beam.
Kristine took note of Jason's silence, but chose not to pursue the subject. She wanted to know how Jason felt about it now compared to a week ago, but her observation showed that it was something Jason wanted to forget about. Perhaps it was just a dream, one that the twins shared. Kristine figured the world was a strange place with not very many answers to countless phenomena that run about; she wasn't going to find any definitive explanations at the moment.
A moment later, Jason looked around, spotting distant trainers and their pokemon. "I wonder where Julian is."
"Considering he has Onix, he's probably further out someplace where there's a flat field," Kristine presumed.
The twins could spot Liz's Horsea in the lake, making a pass by Magikarp and Dratini. She was nearby, observing Charmeleon's melee attacks against a tree while three others of her team, Liepard, Haunter, and Mankey practiced their moves.
A pokemon suddenly rolled by the twins with such velocity and force that it caused them to stumble.
"Is that," Jason regained himself, observing the fast roller as it stopped itself in its tracks with its four stubby legs. "Donphan?"
"Oh hey!" Liz waved. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to come out here so soon. That's Donphan. Evolved shortly before Kenalta."
"Phan!" Donphan greeted.
"Congrats!" Kristine smiled.
"Evolutions are coming slowly but surely," Liz continued. "Not like I can force it on them, anyways, but I'm trying to unlock their potential."
"You and me both," Jason turned his head to the lake where Magikarp was splashing about.
Kristine snickered. "Then you have stone evolutions."
"Right, but you can't force those either," Liz pointed out.
"Agreed. Can't plan them around either when your pokemon finds a thunderstone on the ground and decides he wants to evolve right then and there."
"Oh?" Liz became intrigued. "That sounds a little spontaneous. Impulsive perhaps."
Kristine pointed out Raichu at a distance, as the recently evolved pokemon practiced using Thunderbolt against a tree.
"Well, congrats," Liz commended. "You just sacrificed speed for power, though. Kind of changes the game plan there."
There it was. The power vs. speed argument. It was something that the twins both blurred the lines on during their journey through Inventum, but the subject had lived on nonetheless, and if anything, it made great material for bantering. As soon as Jason heard that, he cracked a grin.
Kristine looked on. She had Raichu practice in his new form every day since his evolution, but she began to realize she never truly utilized his new form. He was slower and bulkier than before, but the trade off was that he could take more hits and he could hit harder.
She then realized Liz was correct to an extent. Speed was sacrificed for power, for now. Raichu needed to get used to being taller and heavier. Some professional trainers across the world have had incredibly fast raichu, and that was because they put a lot of time and effort in the speed department.
It reinforced Veronica's point she made to the twins the day before they embarked on their journey. They needed both speed and power to win. Kristine knew Raichu may never be able to keep up with the insane speed potential Jolteon possessed, but Raichu just needed to be fast enough to land a few hits.
"I guess I'll need to get Raichu further acquainted in his new form," Kristine spoke a moment later.
"Takes a while," Liz added. "Donphan needed to get used to adding nearly 200 pounds instantly."
Jason took a few steps towards the lake. "Going from Magikarp to Gyarados must be something incredibly difficult to get used to."
Liz walked up next to Jason. "Consider that a huge test. You know how many trainers end up hurt or in the hospital because their fish evolved into a giant sea serpent that destroys entire villages in kids books?"
"Yeah," Jason took a deep breath. He gazed upon the lake to see Magikarp happily splashing about.
Liz patted Jason on the back. "No pressure or anything. I think you can do it, and your sister knows you can do it."
Liz turned around to Kristine standing in front of her.
"You know what they say when Charmeleon evolves into Charizard," Kristine smiled. "No pressure or anything, but I think you can do it. You certainly know you can, right?"
Liz simply nodded and stepped aside, seeing Kristine's point.
"I'll just need to be prepared as much as possible," Jason spoke up before turning to Kristine and Liz. "I still have a lot of work to do, as do we all."
"I'd best get back at it," Liz said as she walked away from the twins. "I'll come hang out with you guys tomorrow. You know, birthday wishes and all."
"Sounds good," Kristine lightly waved. "We were just walking around the lake anyway."
The twins continued their walk around the lake, getting a clear view of the lodge from the far side.
"You think Liz was getting into your head at all?" Kristine asked Jason.
Jason shrugged. "Maybe she deliberately tried, maybe she didn't. She's right either way."
Kristine shifted her eyes to the lake. "She probably is projecting her own nervousness. She seems to keep a cool head."
"Then I say let her be nervous," Jason took another glance towards Magikarp. "But let's be honest with ourselves. Aren't we all?"
"I suppose we are," Kristine contemplated. "But we've fought through it to get here. It's not a good time to buckle underneath the weight."
"You got that right."
Jason and Kristine completed their walk around the lake a short while later. As the sun began to set, they recalled their pokemon and headed back inside. Nurse Joy had prepared a large batch of stew for trainers within the lodge, and the twins took advantage of that. Afterwards, they headed back to their room on the fourth floor.
"I think I should contact Sydney," Jason said as he used the keycard to open the door, letting Kristine in first.
"Sounds good," Kristine replied as she walked into the restroom, closing the door behind her. "Bath time!"
Jason navigated the communications feature on the computer in the far side of the room. Using Sydney's contact information, he initiated the call. As Kristine began to undress, she realized something. Galar was several time zones ahead of eastern Inventum, and if it was 7 o'clock in the evening here, it must've been midnight there. She buckled back on her belt and stormed out the door.
"Wait, Jason!" she yelled. "She's probably sleeping!"
"Oh right!"
By then, it was too late; the call had already been initiated. Before Jason could drop the call, a video feed of Sydney appeared, looking drowsy with her messy hair and yellow nightgown. Her eyes began to immediately perk up. She wouldn't have taken the call if it wasn't Jason. "Hi!"
Jason's face beamed red. "I'm so sorry to wake you up. I didn't realize -"
Sydney laughed. "It's okay. I'd forget too."
Kristine, seeing things turned out to be okay, gave Jason the thumbs up before heading back into the restroom.
"I just wanted to say hi," Jason continued. "I'll make it short."
"Really, it's fine," Sydney smiled.
"We're in the Sol Peninsula here. We just got here, in fact."
"I'm guessing that's the peninsula to the southeast that stretches down."
"That's the one. We have a birthday tomorrow."
"I know!" Sydney quickly replied before catching herself. Her face then beamed red. "That sounded so creepy."
"Wait, how'd you know?" Jason asked. He never recalled telling Sydney the exact date of his and Kristine's birthdays.
"Um," Sydney spoke through her embarrassment. "It's on your trainer credentials on the extranet."
Jason looked up his profile on the extranet. Sure enough, it displayed his full name, Jason James Kyar, his date of birth, his hometown, and his entire team with their information last updated in his and Kristine's battle against John and Avery. It even displayed he had five badges as a registered competitor in the Inventum Pokemon League, and displayed video footage of past battles against the Donnovan Twins and against Kristine and Bran. He attempted to dig deeper only to realize that while advanced analytics were a thing, there was little information on his team as he didn't battle in enough high profile matches.
"I mean," Jason looked through his information. "Everything is right there so it's not really creepy."
"I meant to call you tomorrow and at least leave a message," Sydney added. "But since we're here, happy birthday! It's just past midnight here, so I'm on time, right?"
Jason chuckled. "Yes. Thanks, Sydney."
"Hey, isn't there a tournament soon down there? Not the Inventum Cup, but the one you guys mentioned back in my auntie's."
"Yeah, the Junior Circuit," Jason switched his attention back to Sydney. "My matches will be on the extranet."
"Matches eh?" Sydney slightly tilted her head. "You're planning to win the tournament, aren't you?"
"Of course," Jason gave a confident nod.
"Well I look forward to seeing your matches," Sydney smiled. "I'll try to watch them live if I can. I know you can do this!"
Jason blushed. "I appreciate it."
"Anyways, I should get back before my mum finds out I'm up," Sydney glanced at her room's door to her left.
"Right, I should let you get back to sleep," Jason said.
"Thanks for calling me," Sydney smiled once more. "Tell Kristine I said happy birthday!"
"Will do," Jason assured her. "I'll contact you soon enough, okay?"
"Looking forward to it," Sydney waved goodbye. "Until next time."
Sydney cut the feed right after. Jason got up only to sit down on his bed. Grabbing the remote on top of the night stand between both beds, he turned the TV on, switching the channel to IPSN. There wasn't much going on, other than highlights of various battles across the world.
It wasn't too long before Kristine emerged from the restroom, towel wrapped over her body.
"I forgot to get my pajamas," she said, walking to her backpack to grab a fresh set of pajamas. "How's your girlfriend?"
Jason looked right at Kristine, who gave a playful smile.
"You know what?" Jason took a deep breath. "She's doing fine. She wanted to wish you a happy birthday as well."
"That's sweet of her," Kristine found a top and long pants. "I like her."
"I'm pretty sure you'd both be good friends," Jason added.
"Well considering she'll be my sister-in-law, I sure hope so," Kristine laughed.
Jason sighed, seeing his sister laugh her way back into the restroom.
"Well, I've put up with you for 13 years," Jason muttered. "Here's to another year."
Dawn rose over the pokemon lodge. There was a sense of serenity with the surrounding birdsong from numerous wild avian pokemon. Kristine was the first to get up. No synced dreams. No nightmares. Off to a good start.
She got up and yawned as she proceeded to the restroom. Jason opened his eyes just as his sister closed the restroom door. He rolled out of bed and stretched his arms. As Kristine got out of the restroom a moment later, Jason turned to her. "Happy birthday, sis."
"Happy birthday, bro," Kristine gave a nod.
The two changed in separate rooms a short while later before heading down to the pokemon lodge's lobby. There were just a few trainers, as most trainers at the lodge were probably still asleep. Jason and Kristine grabbed breakfast at the dining area. The selection was diverse, from eggs to pancakes to protein bars and even smoothies. Kristine, despite having more than her fair share, paled in comparison to Jason's massive eating habits.
"I swear, you have a bottomless pit for a stomach," Kristine observed as Jason devoured anything that was in front of him.
"It's normal," Jason spoke with his mouth full.
It was a pet peeve of Kristine for anyone to speak with their mouth full, though she would catch herself doing just that from time to time. She lightly rolled her eyes, and gave Jason a pass this time around. She got up a moment later and walked towards the lounge, where the TV was turned to IPSN.
It seemed to be a slow news morning. Then Tom, the anchorman, led into a short segment featuring the day's birthday celebrations.
"Surely they're not gonna give us a shoutout," Kristine spoke loudly enough for the handful of curious trainers to hear.
"First we have Avery Freeman, son of Kenalta gym leader John Freeman," Tom started off. "He turns 18 today, the minimum age required to be a gym leader in Inventum. It's reported that he is undergoing training to be Kenalta's next gym leader, but no word yet on when John plans to retire."
"Jason!" Kristine shouted across the lobby. "Avery shares our birthday!"
"Don't you mean birthdays?" Jason shouted back before getting up to approach her.
"Whatever!" Kristine playfully snapped.
"Sharing birthdays with Avery are newly appointed teenagers Jason and Kristine Kyar," Tom continued.
Jason and Kristine's trainer profile pictures popped up on the screen. The few trainers relaxing at the lounge all turned their heads to them.
"The Kyar twins turn 13 today, and are reported to be in the Sol Peninsula," Tom elaborated. "They just registered for the Junior Circuit in PokeWorld. Their popularity surfaced after they defeated the Donnovan Twins in Richland Port's Power Duo."
"We actually got featured again," Kristine was taken back.
"Looks like there's no escaping the fame," Jason replied.
"Jason and Kristine have been able to inspire young trainers all over Inventum," Tom added. "Kyar twins, if you're watching this, best birthday wishes to you both."
"But," Jason took a deep breath. "That battle was months ago. It wasn't like it was the Inventum Cup."
As the show cut into a commercial break, the trainers focused their full attention on Jason and Kristine.
"I watched the battle on the extranet," an aspiring girl spoke up. "I've only first heard about you two a month ago, but if you two can accomplish something like that, I know I can too."
"What you did was nuts," a male trainer added. "But you have to be crazy to compete in the Inventum League."
"Just a little bit," Kristine snickered.
"Just don't be afraid to do anything out there," Jason added. "See the challenge ahead of you as something to overcome. Nothing is impossible."
"Nothing is impossible," a second female trainer repeated. "So simple, yet few people realize that."
"Wait," the male trainer spoke up. "What happens if you guys fight each other in the Junior Circuit."
"I'll win," Jason and Kristine replied at the same time. This drew laughter from the trainers.
"Oh man, that'll be something," the male trainer said amidst the laughter.
The three trainers noticed a red haired female trainer preparing to sneak around the twins as soon as she reached the base of the stairs. She successfully did so, at silent request that the trainers do not raise any alarms, and got directly behind the twins.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON AND KRISTINE!" Liz obnoxiously screamed next to their ears.
"Geez!" Jason covered his ears.
"Uh, hi Liz!" Kristine greeted, though startled.
"Or is it birthdays?" Liz contemplated. "Dang it. Let me try it again."
"No, wait!" Jason pleaded. "We get the message."
"We appreciate the thought," Kristine smiled.
"Wait," the twins heard a distant voice from the third floor rails overlooking the lobby. It was Julian. "It's your birthdays? Hold on a minute!"
"At this rate, we're going to wake up the entire lodge," Kristine mentioned.
"Eh," Liz shrugged. "We're all supposed to be early morning risers anyways."
"What about the ones who got in late last night?" the first female trainer asked.
"I suppose that's an exception," Liz realized. "Whoops."
Julian ran down the stairs towards the twins. "Sup, guys? Happy birthday, both of you."
"Hey, thanks!" Jason exchanged fist bumps with Julian.
Kristine did the same. "Thank you."
Also from the third floor emerged a blonde trainer with long, messy hair. She was still in her pajamas. She yawned and tried to widen her eyes to see what was going on below.
"See?" the first female trainer ran her point across Liz.
"Hi Amanda!" Liz waved. "Sorry about the commotion. You can sleep in now."
"It's fine," Amanda replied. "Whose birthday is it?"
Liz pointed to the twins, causing Amanda to abruptly screech out of excitement. She ran down two flights of stairs to the lobby, running right to Kristine.
"Happy birthday!" Amanda gave her a big hug. She then gave Jason one too. "And you. Happy birthday!"
"Hey," Amanda noticed Julian, and then looked back to Liz, Jason, and Kristine. "We're all here!"
"Even Bran?" Kristine asked.
"Yeah," Amanda nodded. "We teamed up in Kenalta and got in super late once we heard there was a pokemon lodge nearby. We pushed it. He's probably sound asleep."
"Well, I'm happy to see you here," Kristine gave Amanda another hug.
Amanda let go a few seconds later and turned her head to Julian. "Hi, Julian!"
"Hi," Julian smiled and waved.
"Hey, let's head down to PokeWorld together starting tomorrow," Kristine suggested. "Just like Pattersbaugh Falls."
"Sounds good to me," Liz agreed.
"Sounds like fun," Jason approved.
"Totally," Julian nodded.
"Yes!" Amanda jumped. "I'm pretty sure Bran would say yes, as well."
"Count him on board even if he doesn't realize it," Liz added.
"It's settled," Kristine declared. "Enjoy the day. We'll meet here tomorrow morning and head out."
"I'm gonna go back to bed now," Amanda felt suddenly drowsy. "See you soon!"
"See ya!" Kristine waved.
"Alright, let's chill for a bit," Liz said. "Jason and Kristine got enough attention as it is," she headed out of the pokemon lodge.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go get some grub," Julian added. "Hey guys, happy birthdays!"
"Appreciate you," Jason waved.
The few other trainers at the lobby soon dispersed.
"Well then," Kristine faced Jason. "Today's a chill day for sure."
"Let's enjoy it," Jason replied. "After today, it's on. And I don't mean between us exclusively. We will each probably have to fight one or two of them in the Junior Circuit. That includes Bran and Alex."
"I know," Kristine began to head towards the exit. "But like you said, let's enjoy the day."
The day was Jason and Kristine's to do nothing serious and just relax. With the Junior Circuit around the corner, it was a day to see the other trainers as purely friends. Because once the tournament goes underway, the script would be completely flipped, and everyone, including Jason and Kristine, would see each other as nothing but rivals.
