I threw everything into my bag as quickly as possible, grabbed it, and bolted out the door. I quickly looked down at my phone, and the time read '12:09'. I really hope Elena hadn't left yet.

I ran down the stairs, nearly bumping into another trainer going up. I rushed into the hallway where I saw 'ROOM 103' on the door. I ran up to it and started knocking on the door, hoping she would answer. I waited around seven seconds before knocking again, and finally the door was opened, and I was greeted with a "Yeah?" A blonde girl with a messy, inside out, and I think even backwards shirt opened the door. I pushed past that part and continued.

"Hi, is Elena in this room?" I asked between gasps as I tried to catch my breath. The girls expression didn't change, but she called out behind her "Elena! Someone's here for ya!" The girl promptly left me in the doorframe to wait, and Elena's figure soon appeared.

"I expected you to at least wake up for breakfast," Elena deadpanned. "But no, I'm left to make breakfast on my own with Nurse Joy, and wait hours for you." She glared at me.

"Look, I'm really sorry about-"

"I don't even want to hear it! The only reason I didn't leave without you is because you still owe me for saving your life!"

"You're still mad about that? I thought… Wait. You're totally just screwing with me again aren't you?"

She kept her glare and I stared back with my own fake glare. The staring contest lasted a good ten seconds before we both burst into laughter.

"You're getting better at spotting fake anger. I'll just have to step up my game I guess. You can expect a lot of it from me, as my sense of humor mainly revolves around playing with emotions." She giggled. The way she said it gave me a creepy yet fun vibe about her. "Although, that's not to say I'm not kind of annoyed. I kind of wanted to get to Floraroma by this afternoon, and considering it basically is the afternoon…" She left me to complete that thought on my own.

I looked at her rather sheepishly. "Heh… Sorry. I was pretty tired," I said as I rubbed my neck. "At least we're headed out now, right?"

"Yes we are heading out now. If we hurry, we can get to Floraroma by tonight."

"Why do you wanna get there so quickly?" I questioned.

"You'll see when we get there!"

…

We came to the same road as yesterday, which led us to the outskirts of Jubilife City. The path started becoming less organized, and looked like it was transitioning into dirt. There was a sign which read 'LOWER ROUTE 104', and just below another which read 'RAVAGED PATH AHEAD'.

"Ravaged path?" I asked. "Doesn't seem like an entirely safe area."

"Oh it's fine," Elema reassured. "It's just a very- I mean, not at all dangerous cave in which falling boulders are a hypothetical and potential hazard." She smiled meanwhile I felt a draining sensation in my face. I heard her laugh when she took note of my change in expression. "Don't look so worried, the boulders aren't that common, and no major injuries have been reported there… Yet." She ominously added.

"…Is that gonna be the only way to Floraroma Town?"

"Yup! Let's go!" She grabbed my arm and started marching cheerily. Lower Route 104 was a pretty clear path. There was a nice little lake we passed by, and we saw some neat Pokémon.

"What's that thing? In the tree?" I pointed to a tall brown oak tree.

"That? That's a Burmy! And the thing flying next to the tree is a Mothim, and the one flying with it is a Staravia! … Oh God… Well, the thing inside the Staravia is a Mothim!" She cheerily said. I was kind of glad the sun was in my face when the circle of life decided to display itself.

Elena pointed out all the native Sinnoh Pokémon I wasn't aware of. Apparently Burmy come in three forms, and can evolve into either a Mothim or something called Wormadam. It gave me a sense of wonder, seeing Pokémon I've never seen before. It was like discovering a whole new world.

I heard Elena chuckling at something while I observed a purple monkey with two hand tails feed sitrus berries to smaller purple monkeys with one hand tail. "Something funny?" I asked.

She looked up at me. "Huh? Oh, no, I'm just watching you observe all these new Pokémon you've never seen before. Your face of wonder is cute." She smiled as she said this.

I couldn't help but blush a little at that. "Oh, well I guess I can't help it. It's like exploring a foreign planet and discovering alien life. How did you react when you saw Pokémon you've never seen in your life?" I asked her, still blushing a little. I tried to hide my face.

"Well, it's about the same as you. I was filled with amazement! The first Pokémon that gave me that feeling was a herd of Deerling and Sawsbuck I came across in the forest. I think I ended up watching them for half an hour before trying to approach them. Most of the herd ran away, but I managed to get one of the baby Deerling close enough so I could pet it. It liked it and started following me around. Such a sweet little thing."

"Why didn't you catch it?"

"Oh, trust me, I wanted to, but the second I pulled out a Pokéball three of the Sawsbuck started approaching me threateningly. I backed away and said goodbye to the Deerling, then continued down the route I was on."

The story made me smile too, because I knew how sweet Deerling could be. She continued to tell me some of the stories and adventures she had had during her training career as we walked. I started to tell her about my Unovan adventures before becoming a trainer.

"Castelia City is probably the one place I'm going to really miss about Unova. I didn't go there often since I lived on a separate land mass from it, but it was still great. I absolutely love the city life." I explained. Elena seemed to be in awe when I talked about cities in Unova, especially when I talked about how big they were.

"Seriously? Almost every building is a skyscraper? There are only like, three in all of Jubilife, the main city of Sinnoh!"

"Hell yeah, it was almost scary to look directly up at them, as they look absolutely colossal."

"That's so cool… So, what's happening with the whole Team Plasma thing? What's their deal?" Elena questioned. I could hear the curiosity in her voice.

I let out a sigh and began to explain. "They were protestors, talking about stuff like how Pokémon shouldn't be used as tools or slaves to man, and that all Pokémon should be liberated…" I tried to recall most of the major events that happened. "When they didn't get much attention, they resorted to forcefully stealing and liberating Pokémon, and they finally gained media attention. It soon all went out of hand pretty quickly and they started doing more and more radical things, one of which involved the destruction of the Pokémon League."

"They got away with that!?"

"Well, they were put down on the day that happened by some trainers who were challenging the league that day, and the gym leaders. After that they just kind of disappeared, until about a few months ago…"

"So they came back huh?"

"Yep, and it's because of them I was so delayed in becoming a trainer. Also because of my… Parents…" It just occurred to me I hadn't actually spoken to my parents since I started my training. I quickly pulled out my phone, but it was dead. I forgot to charge it.

"Is something wrong?" Elena asked, a little bit of worry forming in her voice.

"My... My parents. I still haven't called them to let them know how I'm doing… My mom hasn't even called since I started, and she didn't even know I was going to train…"

"Wait, you didn't tell your mom that you're training Pokémon!? She's probably worried sick!" she scolded.

"No no, it's not like that at all! My mom absolutely refused to let me become a trainer, however since my dad was one, he encouraged me to become one. My dad woke me up super early in the morning to sneak me out to go to Rowan's Lab before my mom woke up… I just thought they would eventually call…" I trailed off.

"When we get to Floraroma Town, you need to call your parents." Elena sounded like a parent scolding their child.

"I will, I will!" I threw hands up on the air. "I just don't know how my mom will react…"

Elena looked at me with some sadness in her eyes, before changing the subject. "Hm… Oh! Hey, check it out over there!" She was pointing at a rocky cliff. "The Ravaged Path!" We both ran up to it, and I got a better look at it. It was a steep cliff slope with a crude looking cave entrance.

"This doesn't look entirely safe…" I worried. The entrance itself had a few sharp rocks.

"Oh it's fine, trust me! I've been through here a million times!" Elena boasted. I honestly didn't know whether to trust her or not, but before I had a chance to say anything, she once again grabbed my arm and pulled me with her.

"You need to stop doing this!" I pleaded as I was dragged into the cave. The coolness of the cave had caught me by surprise. It felt rather nice as the sun had been pretty hot.

"See? It's completely fine in here!" Elena had let go and started spinning with her hands in the air. "Totally safe!"

I started to feel a little better about the situation. "Oh right!" I remembered I would let my Gligar out of its Pokéball. I grabbed the ball and threw it, releasing the Pokémon. "Gli-gar!"

"Hey Dirt Wing!" Elena teased. I shot her a glare and she just giggled. "You like the name, you just don't wanna admit it!"

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the Gligar. "You agree Dirt Wing is a horrible nickname, right?"

"Gar!"

"See? He agrees it's dumb."

"Gli? Gar-gar!" It snapped back. Elena giggled "Actually, I think he likes it!"

"Gar!"

I slumped down and let out a sigh. "Fine, Dirt Wing will have to do…"

Elena smiled and we continued to venture into the cave. "We go this way to Floraroma Town I believe…" Elena said as she stared at a map. "Yes! This way!" She pointed to a direction and started marching. We kept walking until we came across a large boulder.

"Looks like this thing fell from the ceiling recently. Well, nothing we can't solve," Elena pulled out a blue and red Pokéball. "Go Torrent!"

After a flash, I saw a tall, round figure appear. "Azuuu!"

"Use Brick Break on these boulders!"

"Zuu-ma!" The Pokémon lunged toward the boulder with a glowing hand, and hit the it with a powerful blow. The boulder smashed into hundreds of tiny little pieces, successfully clearing the path. "Great job!" Elena gave a thumbs up. "Now, return!" She pulled out the Pokéball again and the creature was returned into the capsule. I just looked on in amazement.

"So… That's an Azumarill?" I asked her. "Yup!" She replied. "Bit of a powerhouse that one. I was surprised myself. Anyway, I believe the exit is just this way. Come on!"

She waved her hand the direction she was running and I followed her, Dirt Wing close behind. It turned out, Elena was wrong, and that wasn't the exit at all. We kept wandering in the cave before Elena slumped down to her knees. We had been walking for what was maybe an hour.

"Okay, Marcel, I'm going to say something, but don't freak out, okay?" Elena said looking up at me. I just looked back at her with suspicion.

"We're lost."

"Yep, I figured…" I sat down on the hard rock floor next to her. "Maybe we should've left a trail of breadcrumbs." I added sarcastically. She ignored my comment and seemed to be thinking to herself. "Maybe if we…" She quickly examined the walls of the cave. "Follow me this way!" Elena quickly stood up, some confidence forming in her voice. I followed her down a branching path for about fifteen minutes before we came across a lake within the cave.

"Yes!" She cheered. "I think I can find the exit if we go around the lake!"

I looked around the lake, but there didn't seem to be any place to walk around. "Go around where? There's not much room unless we shimmy across the edge of the left wall." I stated. Elena realized I was right and thought for a moment. "I know!" She fished out the blue and red Pokéball once more. "Torrent, you're up again!" She threw the Pokéball above her, and the Azumarill appeared in the water. Elena gracefully caught the Pokéball mid air. "Marcel, take off your bag." I hesitated, but I took off my bag and she did the same with hers. "Quick, now take off your shoes and shirt." Elena added. I was starting to see where she was going now."

"I'm not liking this idea…" I sheepishly said.

"What? Taking some of your clothes off in front of a girl?"

"No, I meant swimming across."

"…Right. But don't worry, Torrent is a really good swimmer, so don't worry about a thing!"

I started doubting what she had to say after the fifth time I heard her say 'This is the exit for sure!' but I still complied with her wishes. I removed my shoes and shirt and put them into my bag, then looked up to see Elena stripping nearly everything, but she seemed to be wearing a swimming bikini underneath her clothes.

"Do you always wear a bikini under your clothes?" I asked her. "Only when I'm out traveling like this. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good swimmer, so I usually take swims with Torrent. Anyway, come and take the bag!" She called out to the Azumarill. "Azuuu!" It trilled. I saw something fly over me. "Gaaar!" It called out. The Azumarill swam away with our backpacks, and it swam pretty damn fast. It was back near us again in about thirty seconds.

"Okay Marcie, hop on Torrent and hang on tight," Elena winked.

"Did you just call me-" I was cut off by the sound of Elena diving into the water and beginning to swim across the lake. I rolled my eyes and jumped into the water, which was actually pretty warm. I held onto the Azumarill like a floaty as it swam me across the water. We arrived on the other side first, but I didn't see Elena.

"Elena?" I called out. No response. I called out again. "Elena? Are you there?" Still no response. I walked over to the waters edge and called out once more. "Elena? Are you-" Suddenly a hand reached up from the water and grabbed me, pulling me back into the water. I opened my eyes beneath the water, and saw Elena smiling at me. I quickly swam upward and gasped for air. Elena came up next to me laughing.

"Haha, sorry, I've also wanted to do that as well…" Elena laughed as she swam to the edge. I grabbed on to the rocky ground and pulled myself out of the water.

"Gli-gli-gar!" I heard my Pokémon laugh above me. "Shut up," I casually said as I started wringing out my shorts. I glared up at Elena, who looked back at me with a face of innocence. "You're not mad about that, are you?" She sweetly asked. I sighed. "I'm just a little annoyed about that," I said, and saw a sad expression form on Elena's face, making me instantly regret it. "Hey, it's fine!" I tried to reassure. "It was pretty funny. I guess I'm just kind of getting sick and tired of this cave." Elena's face brightened once more. "Well, good thing the exit should be close by! We shall remain in this cave no longer!" She made an attempt to do a deep noble voice.

"Azu! Marill!" Torrent called out. It was pointing to our bags. "Oh right!" Elena smacked her head. "I guess putting our clothes back on would be important…" We put our clothes back on which proved easier for me as I only had a shirt and shoes. Elena returned Torrent into the Pokéball, and we followed the path after the lake. Dirt Wing led the way, even though it was a straight path. I suppose it made him feel important.

"Look! The exit!" Elena called, and she started running towards the arched exit, and I ran after her. It eventually turned into a race, and I tried outrunning her, but she seemed to burst into a sprint at the last second. We both burst out of the cave, and I was smacked in the face with a burst of cold air. We both fell to the ground panting and giggling, which didn't help us catch our breath at all. I was laying on my back when I looked up and realized the sky was already dark.

"What time is it?" I asked Elena. She examined her watch. "7:56… How long were we in that cave?" She questioned, knowing I didn't know the answer myself. I got up off the ground and grabbed Elena's hand to help her up as well. "How much farther up is Floraroma Town?" I asked her. She thought in her head for a bit before replying with "About an hours walk… Ugh… That's enough walking for today, don't you agree?"

I could not have agreed with anything more at that moment. My feet felt sore as hell. "I agree with that statement more than anything right now. Does that mean we need to camp out for tonight?" I asked her. Camping out seemed like it could be fun.

"Yup! Ever camp out before? It's fun, trust me!" Elena winked. I started to notice whenever she winked, only bad things would happen.

…

We had diverted off of the main path and found a small clearing in the forest, where we decided to set up our camp.

I fumbled with the sticks and pieces of string that were the ingredients to creating a tent.

"All done!" Elena beamed. I looked over to her perfectly made orange tent, then looked over to my mess of a tent. "Can I get some help here? I don't know what I'm doing…" I admitted helplessly. She walked over to try and help me with my tent. "Well first of all… I didn't even give you enough materials to make a tent," Elena laughed. I looked at her confused. "Wait what? Where am I gonna sleep then?"

She pointed towards the orange tent she set up. "Sorry about the minor prank, hehe. We'll both be sleeping in there. Don't worry, it's bigger on the inside." Once again, before I had time to respond, I was being dragged by my arm towards the tent.

"Ta-daaaa!" She sang. It was a fairly big tent which could fit two people. There was a blue and red sleeping bag with a lantern in between the two. "Red or blue?" She asked me.

"Um, blue?"

"Too bad, I like blue. You get the red sleeping bag!" She trotted over to the blue sleeping bag and set down her backpack. "Why did you even bother to… Never mind…" I muttered.

"Now, if you don't mind, I need some privacy to change into my pajamas," Elena shooed me out the tent flaps and I was left to wait outside. I looked around the area and saw my Gligar on top of a tree, already fast asleep. I decided to take the opportunity and quickly change into my pajamas… Which I then realized I only ever usually sleep in my boxers and undershirt. I sighed and just took off my damp shorts and removed my shirt, leaving me only in my underclothes. I hung the damp clothes on a nearby branch to dry, and I heard Elena give the okay to coming back inside. I trudged back into the tent and was greeted with a whistle when I entered.

"Well that doesn't leave much to the imagination now, does it?" I heard her have to bite back a laugh as she said that. I just shot her a glare and stuck my tongue out at her, then wrapped myself in the sleeping bag. She looked at me with a flat, yet somehow playful expression. "Oh come on, I thought guys took that as a compliment."

"Not coming from you," I teased back.

"Wow, rude."

I felt a light kick come from her at my leg. "Im pretty tired, you?" She asked me.

"I think I've been tired this entire day," I yawned.

"As evidenced by this morning. You gonna sleep now?"

"Mhmm."

"Alright cool. I'll sleep in like five minutes, so you can go and go to sleep now."

I felt myself already drifting as she said that. "Mkay… Nighty night…" I sleepily said.

I heard a small giggle, then "Goodnight Marcel. Don't let the Pinsir bite, as they could easily rip you in half." I had no idea what a Pinsir even was, but that last sentence was probably enough fuel for the nightmare machine.

But instead, I found myself drifting through the purple cloud world once more.

…