As I walked along this dirt path a giant tree appeared up ahead which split the path in two. It's huge roots gnarled through the ground, and its twisted branches were covered with millions of brown leaves. At the intersection, there was a small wooden sign. It read, "Post Town," pointing left, and "Paradise," pointing right. What the hell? Paradise? That's gotta be some kind of joke... or maybe a really bad attempt at a trap. Whatever. I headed down the left path towards Post Town. Wait. What if someone switched the signs around...? I guess I'll find out soon.

I had only gone a few feet before I heard something rustling nearby. It came from the tree. I looked up at its branches. Tiny silhouettes of Pokemon could be seen hopping in the branches. I counted four of them. I carefully placed my hand on my sword's handle, and continued walking as if I hadn't noticed. They could be thieves... I kept my eye on them as I took careful steps down the path. I could faintly hear them talk to each other.

"Are you sure it's all the way up here?"

"It's gotta be. I don't know where else I..."

"This is quite dangerous. I advise we slow down."

"Sig's got a point. We need to slow down!"

"But what if someone else finds it? I can't leave it out in the open!"

They kept talking. It sounds like they're busy doing something else. So, I guess I'll be safe if I just continue walking along the path. But I'm still keeping my eye on them. They could be up to something. I slowly shuffled along, watching them hop between the rather large branches to this tree. The leaves kept me from identifying which Pokemon they were. I hope I can handle them if things turn bad.

There was a sharp left turn further down the path. At the corner, I could see some of the tree's bare branches hung quite a ways out over the edge of a cliff. The edge was in a "U" shape. It looked like a pretty big drop. I know I wouldn't survive it... Straight across, the other path to that "Paradise" was visible. While there was a big drop, I'm sure I could jump across this gap to the other side just fine. Suddenly, the Pokemon hopped out across the set of branches above. Now I could see them! An Eevee, an Oshawott, a Chimchar, and a Mienfoo... What are they doing up there?

"Okay, Celeste. It's clearly not going to be out over here..." said the Chimchar.

"But this is the only place we haven't looked!" The Eevee hastily ran along the branches.

"Celeste! Watch yourself!" The Mienfoo reached towards the Eevee. "These branches are fragile out this far! They might break!" The Eevee seemed to ignore him. But he's right. Those look like they might-

SNAP!

"Ah!"

"Celeste!"

Oh crap! Instinctively, I dashed towards the edge and leaped into the air. What the hell am I thinking!? I caught the Eevee in my left arm, but her weight caused me to lose speed mid-flight. I started falling! I wasn't going to make it!

My body slammed right into the edge. I tried digging my leafy hand into the ground as I started sliding back, but I couldn't get a grip! I sprouted my vines off my back to try and reach out for something to hang on to, but there was nothing to grab. I slowly slid down the ledge. Only my right hand could hold us, but I knew I was slipping. In the panic, I glanced down. Big mistake. My heart froze. I almost let go of the Eevee. The drop was terrifying! I struggled to lift the Eevee and I up, but no matter how hard I pulled I couldn't lift us.

Oh no! I'm going to fall! I'm going to die! But I felt the Eevee scramble out of my arms.

"Excuse me-" She got her footing against the wall and hopped up out of my arm. It was much easier to hang on now without holding her. But then she put her foot on my head. "Hang on!" she warned. What the hell is she- Gah! She kicked off my head to get herself up, but the force pushed me back- I lost my grip and let go! My mind succumbed to paralysis. Now I'm going to die! I shut my eyes tightly. But something grabbed my hand.

"Gotcha!"

The Eevee had reached out and grabbed my hand with both of her paws. Behind her, the Mienfoo was also holding onto her. I don't know how he made it down from the tree so quickly, but a huge relief swept my body. They slowly lifted me back up to safety, where I could finally relax. I fell on my hands, breathing heavily. Phew... I crawled a good few feet away from the edge, and sat up. I let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Damn, that was close..." I adjusted my cloak back over my head.

"Thank you!" The Eevee quickly stuck her face in front of mine, causing me to jump back. "If you hadn't shown up, that would've been very tragic!" she smiled at me. Did she... say thank you? I gave her a confused look. Why the hell is she smiling at me? I can't remember the last time I was praised, let alone for saving someone. Then again, why did I save her? Guess I'm still too nice to other Pokemon. Wait, how do I even know if she's being sincere?

Hmph. All that matters is we lived. I don't need her praise.

"Yeah... whatever," I responded. I stood up and adjusted my cloak and sword. Guess I'm all done here.