Chapter 8 – Growth

Crisp mountain air flew down through the valleys below the centre piece of Sinnoh. Mount Cornet was an impressive site and many people traveled to the mountain simply to camp and spend time outdoors watching the wild Pokemon roam around, those who called the rocky terrain home at least.

One of the valleys just north of Orebourgh was famous however for its wild population of Ponyta. It was one of the few places still unclaimed by man in which the horse Pokemon still ran free not under the protection of a park or reserve. Very few trainers of people however were witness to the herds. The fire types remained wary still of humans.

That fact did not seem to bother Jill or her team however as they made their way north a few days. The hike was exceedingly scenic with stunning vistas of the mountains and valleys. The young woman was using this time for some team bonding. Caladan had swept through Roark's gym with ease, just as Jill guessed he would. His type advantage was the deciding factor the entire way. And with both Star and Chase weak to the stone creatures, Jill was happy with her decision to use her starter exclusively. But she knew that he wouldn't be able to win out against every gym.

All of her Pokemon were growing strong though. Caladan was now almost as tall as Jill's knee, and weighing more and more as each week passed by. Chase was also growing, a certain hunters grace creeping its way into his gait. Every movement seemed sinuous and graceful. Where Caladan was solid and weighty, Chase was agile and nimble. Star was even more different than either of the quadrupeds. Her growth was impressive allowing her more strength and speed. The only thing she needed work on was her endurance in the air during battle.

The tiny group came upon a clearing with a scattering of rocks which Chase used to leap from stone to stone. His movements were getting alluring to watch and Jill had to smile as the electric type moved around. Caladan kept close to his trainer as they walked, slowing the groups pace but Jill didn't mind a bit. She enjoyed taking in the country and being able to see the wonders surrounding her. Star floated on the thermals through the air, lost in her own world.

"Hey blue, what do we do next hey? Cal here won that last thing and you've got that shiny new jewelry on so that's all fine and dandy but what about all that action we were promised?" Chase called out as they neared the halfway point of the clearing. He was perched on a rock looking down at his trainer as she passed by with the grass type.

"Well Cal did win that gym battle but I told you, both you and Star are not good matches for rock types. I didn't want either of you getting seriously injured there. However, to answer your question, the next gym will be in Eterna city. And I'd love to use both you and Star there." Jill began pondering her next gym battle. Roark was decent but he was using a weaker team due to Jill still being somewhat of a rookie. The next leader wouldn't be so easy going.

"Jill I'd watch out if I were you!" Star suddenly exclaimed. Jill looked up at the flying type then turned in the direction the avian was staring. Spinning around, the young woman's mouth dropped open. Dashing across the far side of the clearing was a ball of flames, the heat sending shimmering waves up into the air. Ground thundering, the fire raced through and off to the far side, not coming close to Jill but still sending awe through the four travelling companions.

"What was that?" Caladan said softly shaking slightly. While he would defend his family to his last breath if needed, fire was not something he ever wanted to face off against.

"You're not scared there are ya leaves?" Chase bugged still staring off at the moving fire.

"Don't bug him about that Chase. Cal has a right to be nervous around fire types. And I believe that was a herd of Ponyta!" Jill was breathless. People rarely ever got to see wild Ponyta, let alone a running herd. The sight was absolutely stunning. She couldn't wait to tell her mother and Barry and Lucas. Oh how jealous they'd be!

"I don't think one is interested in the herd anymore…" Star commented once more coming down to land on top of Caladan whose shell was fast becoming Star's favourite spot to perch. Looking around Jill noticed one such member of the herd that had just past was no longer running with them, but rather looking on at Jill and her team. After a moment, both parties began moving towards one another.

Jill was enraptured as they drew neared to the fiery steed. Its brilliant white hair covering its body seemed to glow as the fire that created the horse's mane and tail burned with intensity. Even with all that however, Jill could tell that the fire type was somewhat younger. It the young Pokemon only stood as tall as Jill herself, meaning that she still had some serious growth to yet happen. None of that hampered the beauty that the Ponyta seemed to embody. As Jill got close enough she stopped to allow the wild Pokemon to acclimatize to her presence. Regarding the group, the horse tilted its head to the side. Caladan stepped up to Jill's side but that was all. Star was watching the fire type intently in case it seemed to have other thoughts on its next move. Chase was the only on willing to draw close and inspect the newcomer.

"Not to talkative there are ya?" he asked as he circled around the fire type. The Ponyta looked down and tracked the small lynx's movements. "I mean there must be something going through that hot head of yours right?"

"Chase!" Jill said, disapproving of her filter-less electric type's introduction. At her call though, the fire types head snapped around to regard the trainer. Jill froze once more, not sure what to think.

"Maybe its mute? Are fire types able to talk?" Chase asked aloud. He was still circling around, slowly getting closer to the horse.

"Does he always talk this much?" the wild Pokemon finally asked with a soft feminine voice. Chase stopped looking indignant, but Jill laughed and beat him to a response.

"Yes he does and unfortunately I haven't managed to find a filter for him yet."

"Okay that's it blue! I'll spark you something good!"

"Nice try Chase but we all know you can't conjure that up yet." The electric type scowled at Caladan as he noted the lack of electric type moves still unknown to the small blue Pokemon.

"You are a trainer?" the Ponyta asked.

"I am yes. What caused you to stop?" Jill asked.

"I differ from most in my herd. Running to run is liberating indeed, however, I wonder what more is out there. I have a desire to see something else, to be something else. My mind wanders out beyond the herd and what they mean to do. I feel there is just more for me. Thus I find myself stopping finally only to find a group wandering through the clearing. Chance? Perhaps. Of course it could be a convergence of paths and fates as well. Thus we may never know." The fire type stopped as it looked at all the expressions on the faces arrayed around it. "Have I said something uncouth?"

"Not at all!" Jill said recovering first. "I guess we're just not really used to such deep thoughts or such and expressive view of the world."

"Oh I see." The Ponyta looked down, seemingly lost back in its own head. Chase began licking a paw, muttering to himself.

"I'm just as smart, I just don't go around spouting it all off as nonsense is all…" he grumbled. Star began laughing, the sound like a tittering of musical bells.

"Oh my you have such a beautiful voice!" the wild fire type said.

"Why thank you!" Star exclaimed. "So do you wish to join us on this journey then?" the avian asked for Jill.

"You would allow me to accompany you?" the horse asked.

"Of course! Though I should introduce us all properly first! I'm Jill, this here beside me is Caladan, and on his back is Star. And then of course there's…"

"Chase is the name there fireball. Bravest and most powerful of this small group of meandering compadres." Everyone looked to the small electric type. "What? Someone had to say the truth sometime!"

Jill stared around at her team as they settled down for the night. She was constantly shocked and amazed at the vast differences in personalities between her Pokemon. It was the same amongst people, and sure researchers had said much the same of Pokemon, but to actually witness it firsthand was something much more profound. Caladan was soft spoken, yet his voice rumbled like a giant first awakening from sleep. It would grow much deeper as he evolved and grew Jill was sure. But he was also quiet and stoic. Slow to anger. He was exactly like the earth upon with they walked.

Chase was in all senses the complete opposite. The excited electric type had confidence in spade, but was fiercely loyal to his family. His mouth may run a mile a minute but he was the lighthearted core of the team. And his burgeoning friendship with Star was so much fun to watch. The small bird was a perfect match, keeping up to his wit and drawing the tiny lynx into situations which showed Chase's true personality. Much to his chagrin. Star was almost motherly in that sense, a protector as she had been for her nest mates. And while most of the time she was laid back and relaxed, it took no time at all for her temper to get the better of her.

Epona was the newcomer, and yet she was fitting in perfectly. She had already offered Jill a ride, one which Jill at this point had refused. She wanted Epona to get more used to being her partner before she would ride. And to grow a bit more. Jill doubted the fire type had the endurance just yet for extended rides. The horse was good natured around the team, even helping Star throughout the day with bugging Chase. However, Jill caught her newest team member lost in thought more than once. She was a contemplative type and seemed to be wondering at the mysteries of the world. Jill was extremely happy thus far with how her team was shaping up. Looking forward though she knew that she would have to add at least two more to her roster. But there was no rush for the new trainer.

The next few days saw the group head back west towards Jubilife city once more. Jill worked her team hard with training getting them stronger and stronger. It was important that they were ready to face the challenges that were upcoming as it wouldn't be easy that's for sure. Epona was initially unsure about battling, but after witnessing the other three take down some of the local wild Pokemon, the fire type jumped into the fray. Jill was astounded by the Ponyta's speed. She could gallop around opponents then deliver stunningly powerful physical attacks already. It was quiet impressive.

When they reached the city, Jill finally had to concede that she would need to return some of her team to their Pokeballs. While travelling around the countryside she would travel with all of them outside, but in the large urban areas, her team was simply getting too large. Returning all but Star, Jill set forth back into the city. She had decided to spend at least a proper two days here this time. She needed a small amount of time to recover and stock back up before heading off towards Eterna. The next stop on her trip would take her at least a couple weeks of travel to get there. And she would have to traverse through the Eterna forest, a prospect which both excited and made the young woman wary. Normally the forests were safe enough for travelers, but every once in a while there was a story where a wild Pokemon had attacked an unwitting trainer with rather nasty results.

Her first day back in civilization saw Jill simply taking in the sights and sounds of the sprawling city. People passed by without recognition, not that the young woman was bothered by it. She spent the day with each of her Pokemon at various points. And spent lunch with all of them at the park. The second day was spent preparing for the next leg of her journey. Stocking back up on supplies, making sure her team were in full fighting condition and repairing or replacing pieces of gear that were getting worn down. Finally dawn came and Jill was ready to set out once more. Chase was accompanying Jill first thing in the morning. The sun was just above the horizon, light blue skies clear for miles around welcoming the dawn. The streets were basically empty with only a few cars here and there passing by. Jill made good time to the north end of the city where she found the trails which would lead her to Floroma town. Through there she could make her way on to Eterna and her second gym battle.

What she wasn't expecting was sounds of anger and abuse first thing in the morning light. Coming around the corner, Jill was shocked to see two familiar faces squaring off against two rather interestingly dressed people, one male and one female.

"Listen old man, just hand us over the research you've got alright? That way no one has to get hurt" the man was saying. "We know all about you professor and we know you've the info we're looking for. Boss will be all kinds of happy when we turn it in."

"Hey what do you think you're doing?" Jill demanded running over. All four looked over at the newcomer.

"Jill?!" Lucas exclaimed. Jill flashed him a quick smile before returning her regard to the two weirdo's accosting the professor and Lucas.

"Ah Jill, how are you? How is that Pokedex coming along?" Rowan asked. Jill was caught off guard by the question seeing as there were two people directly in front of her who were just abusing the elder.

"Um, its coming along quite well I guess?" Jill stated still somewhat confused. Luckily she wasn't alone, as Lucas was also looking somewhat confused. "I've already caught three new Pokemon and seen a bunch of others including one that the dex didn't recognize."

"Is that so? Which was that?" the professor asked keenly interested.

"An Excadrill from Unova. I met Clay, a gym leader there in Orebourgh before battling Roark!"

"A gym badge already? Battling must be second nature to you then! I just gave you your first Pokemon not even quite a month ago…" The professor was cut off by the two jumpsuit wearing people who Jill finally noticed were not much older than herself or Lucas.

"Hey now listen here! Enough chit chat! Give us…"

"Oh be quiet you lot!" the professor boomed out, his voice much more powerful than Jill had ever realized it would be. "Take a good long look Jill and Lucas. These two here are the exact image as to what you should endeavor never to emulate. Interrupting others is exceedingly rude. And what are you wearing? Space suits? And also, just because you are in a group does not mean you are strong nor intimidating. Raising your voice to be heard is simply childish. Lucas, Jill, I give you leave to teach these two a lesson in civility." The professor's cold regard was chilling the two young adults opposite Jill and Lucas, both of whom were looking at one another once more astounded by the professor. Finally Lucas smiled and shrugged reaching down for his Pokeball. Jill also smiled and turned to the two offenders. Both were just now recovering and were grasping their own red and white spheres.

"Well if you're going to be like that!" the young woman said. The two relased their Pokemon, a Stunky and Glameow. Jill looked down at Chase who was still regarding the professor in wide eyed regard. Jill had to nudge the smaller Pokemon with her foot before he shook his head and grasped what was happening.

"Oh a battle? All right!" Jumping forward wearing a feral grin, both the cat and skunk opposite backed away half a step. Lucas joined the battle sending out his Piplup. The small penguin looked as if it had grown some, meaning Lucas wasn't just spending his time researching. He was training a bit too.

"Glameow use scratch!" the woman called out. The small cat was wearing a lidded gaze, however, its eyes sharpened on Piplup as it coiled to attack. The Stunky wasn't far behind, also advancing on the penguin for its own scratch attack. Lucas was frowning wondering who to challenge. Jill however was having none of the doubling up business.

"Chase lets show them your power!" she said. Feral grin spread across her partners face as he built up the electricity in his fur. Then doing his best battle cry, Chase launched himself forward in a spark attack, intercepting the opposing Glameow in mid pounce. The spark attack did exactly what Jill was hoping for and prevented the purple furred cat from landing its attack on Lucas' Piplup and allowing the penguin to counter Stunky with a close range bubble attack. The skunk looked indignant as it backed away from the water attack. Hissing the Glameow sprinted back into the fray looking to get revenge for the heavy blow dealt by Chase.

"Hey look out" Lucas called as Chase evaded a swipe from the Stunky. Both opposing trainers were simply starting to all out attacks with no rhyme or reason. Jill knew that she and Lucas would win but they needed to be careful or else Chase and Piplup could get seriously injured. People like this tended to not pay much attention to when they should hold up during battle and they actually made Jill nervous. People who lost their cool in battle were exceedingly dangerous. Best finish this as quickly as she could.

"Chase use spark again on Glameow!"

"With pleasure!" Chase responded, his amber eyes narrowing on his target. Piplup was having a hard time fending off Stunky and its bulk but this feline was more of a concern to Jill. Its agility and speed allowed it to dart in a take quick paws at Piplup, attacks the water type couldn't dodge. Chase however was more than a counter to the cat. One more spark and it was down, muscles twitching in unconsciousness. A cry snapped Jill's attention back to Piplup and Lucas.

"No Piplup!" Lucas was about to rush forward but the small penguin rolled just out of the way of the finishing scratch. Chase closed quickly bouncing off the skunks bulk, but paralyzing the opponent. Piplup was breathing heavily and had long scratches running along its blue body. Red fluid was slowly leaking from the wounds, disturbing Jill in a way nothing else had this journey so far.

"Lucas recall Piplup. Chase and I can finish this." Jill's eye's hardened and her mind began to go blank. She watched as the purple Pokemon opposite Chase attempted to get its body to move the way it wanted rather than the random clenching and unclenching of muscles. "Finish this up Chase!"

The tiny lynx began charging its power, fur rising as the electricity was building. Stunky was desperately trying to move out of the way but due to its paralysis, was left helpless. And its trainer was watching simply demanding the poor thing move. Jill almost felt sorry for the Pokemon. But still, considering who its partner was…

Chase moved in rapidly, colliding once more with the bulkier opponent. Bolts of lightning arced off the Shinx onto the Stunky sending it into unconsciousness. Chase leapt back keeping his eye on his opponent making sure it was actually down.

"No way!"

"How could you possibly beat us?" the two trainers were saying. Jill stared at them incredulous. Sure they had somewhat stronger Pokemon than some of those she'd battled so far, but their tactics were worse than childish.

"I think the authorities would like to ask you two a few questions" Rowan said finally. Both man and woman looked scared at that prospect.

"No can do gramps. We have to go and report in!" And with that both took off running. Jill had half a mind to follow but a hand on her shoulder kept her still. Looking back, she saw the professor shaking his head.

"Not this time. You two aquited yourselves well. Lucas we should take Piplup to the Pokemon centre. Jill for yours I can do this." Squatting down, Rowan gave Chase some medicine which had the electric type who was beginning to breathe heavily after the battle running around like a cat on catnip suddenly.

"Thank you professor!"

"Of course my dear. I do wonder what those two were wanting with my research and who they might be working for but for now, it is safe and you can resume your journey. Please be safe my dear though. With wild men and women on the loose apparently, things are not always safe. Take care of yourself and your Pokemon."

"I will sir don't worry." A gruff exhale then the professor began walking down the street. Lucas held back for a moment.

"Is Piplup going to be okay?" Jill asked with some worry. Lucas looked somewhat stressed about it, but smiled none the less.

"He'll be fine. Piplup is one tough cookie. But hey, thanks for that. You're a pretty good trainer already there Jill." Red colour crept into Jill's cheeks.

"Thanks but it was nothing. Those two were never going to be able to take on the two of us." Lucas smiled and gave her a quick hug before rushing off after the professor.

"So who were those people?" Chase asked once they were alone.

"I don't know buddy, but I get the feeling this isn't the last time we'll see them…"

Jillian's Pokemon:
Caladan (Turtwig) - level 15, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Shinx) - level 13, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Star (Starly) - level 12, ability: Keen Eye, nature: Lax
Epona (Ponyta) - level 5, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty

New chapters up and coming along with new companions! Been away for a while which is why I haven't been able to update. Action will be a touch higher over the next chapter or two, and I'm hoping a touch darker. Please review and let me know what your thoughts are.

Epona is the patron of horses, a fitting name I thought for a Ponyta. It is also the default horse name in the Legend of Zelda I'm sure many of you are aware. For these reasons I gave Jillian's Ponyta that name.