I do not own Pokemon!

Okay, four shout outs today, so just hold on everybody!

amberthecat, a guest said that she's not much into game storyline stuff, but she thinks that this story is totally awesome! Thank you!

Black ninja is glad to see Hikari win a Contest, and can't wait for the update! Sorry for the wait though XD

CraziOtaku200 was soops enthusiastic about how AWESOME the story is, and couldn't wait for the update!

Last but not least, Ispel301, who said that he/she can't believe how much they like the story! They like how I portray Hikari, and are really hopeful to see Shinji this chapter. Actually, as of right now, I'm not sure if we'll see him. I haven't exactly thought the chapter through yet XD

Thank you so much for the reviews everybody, I hope you all know how much I love seeing what you guys think about the story, so please keep reviewing and keep suggesting! I'm so sorry for the wait, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 23: A Cute Balloon

Saturday, March 1st

"Ooh it's so nice out!" It was early in the morning, about fifteen to eight, and yet the sun shone so brightly. As I stepped outside I stretched my arms up to the sky, smiling. I don't think I've been in this good a mood since I got Mazey! It's like the whole world is reflecting my happiness! Although it was chilly now, and I was wearing my winter coat, it wasn't as cold as it had been, and it was supposed to get warm enough today to be able to go without a jacket.

"Rooowr," Electra made a sound halfway between a purr and a meow, and rubbed against my boot. Mazey and Ruby were also out, with Mazey comfortable in my arms and Ruby beside me.

Trevion had suggested that I stay in Floaroma Town another day, for some rest, but I knew that I shouldn't. I'd been in Floaroma a long time already, and Route 205 and Eterna Forest were up next. It would take me a solid week to get to Eterna City, where the next Gym was, and that was if I ran into absolutely no problems and didn't get lost in the notoriously dense and foggy and cold Eterna Forest. Yeah, cause' I'm real lucky like that. It doesn't matter though. I'm doing so well now on my journey, that nothing else matters!

"Come on you guys, all we have to do is stop at the Pokemart, and then we're off!" I bought a ton of items inside the blue building, more than enough to last me through the forest. After the center, we set out for Route 205.

On our way to the bridge crossing the river, the wind was strong, and whipped my hair around. After the bridge however, the chilly wind slowed, and eventually became nearly dead thanks to the ledges and short cliffs on either side of the route.

As we neared the afternoon, we were lucky enough to run into a few trainers, only two of which wanted to battle. We came out victorious in both, with few injuries. The day couldn't have been better.

It was nearly one o'clock when I came down from the raised stone path to check out a flowery clearing to set up a picnic for lunch. Ruby appreciated the soft ground compared to the stone we'd been walking on, and she took the opportunity to gallop around for a bit. Electra chased and pounced after a tiny Butterfree. Mazey, who I let down after napping for an eternity in my arms, almost immediately lied down in a bed of flowers and began to nibble the pretty little things.

"Lazy girl," I smiled vaguely, and dug through my bag to find a blanket. I pulled out a light pink, soft blanket, and set it on the ground, along with my bag. Then, just as I was beginning to pull food out, I felt a soft bump on the back of my head. At first I frowned, not sure I'd even felt anything, when all of a sudden what looked like two strings wrapped themselves around me from behind.

"Kyaaaa!" I screamed, turning frantically around and trying to get the strings off of me. "Wha-What is this?!"

"Warooo!" I heard an odd noise coming from behind me, which only heightened my fear.

"G-Get off of me!"

"Shiii!" My Pokemon were beginning to notice my frantic state, and Electra was the first to run over.

"Aaah! Electra!" I didn't really know what to ask her to do, but apparently I didn't have to, because Electra suddenly began to glow with blue electricity. She flashed the many different colors that signaled danger to her, before she rammed into the back of me and whatever was on my back. "EEK!" I fell flat on my face from the shock of the attack. I knew without having to look that my every strand of my navy hair was sticking out.

"Ugh," I slowly lifted myself up, trying to push my staticy hair out of my face. As soon as I was sitting up on my knees, Electra crawled her way onto my lap proudly. "Um, thanks Electra..." I patted her head with a grim smile, then another strange moan caught my attention from behind me.

"Flooo..."

"Huh?" I twisted around to see a small, round, almost lavender bluish colored body floating just a couple of inches on the ground. Two string like arms, with yellow heart shaped hands on the end, lie on the ground. It was obviously the Pokemon which had scared me before, but it didn't look intimidating at all. "Hmm..." I scooted over to the fainted creature, and picked it up gently by its balloon like head. I turned it around, looking it over.

"You're cute..." I mumbled, smiling just a bit. It had a tiny little mouth in the middle of a yellow X on it's face, and the most adorable whipped cream like tuft of hair. Suddenly his tiny little black eyes blinked back open, and the Pokemon's stringy arms lifted up. Just like how I was holding the Pokemon with my hands on the side of its balloon body, it put it's heart shaped hands on my cheeks. My eyes were wide, looking at the Pokemon. "Ha, you seem harmless enough." I smiled, as did the Pokemon.

I took one of my hands away, reaching for my bag, and the Pokedex which lie within it. With the other hand I plucked tenderly at the Pokemon's soft hair.

"Drifloon, the balloon Pokemon. Because of the way it floats aimlessly, an old folktale calls it a 'Signpost for Wandering Spirits.'" After I set the Pokedex back down, and continued to turn the very willing Pokemon over and observe him, I felt a chill run over me.

"You don't look so bad, especially for a ghost type... 'Signpost for wandering spirits' seems a little harsh."

"Maroooo." I giggled at the strange moan which had terrified me beyond belief just a few minutes ago. It gave me chills, but the good kind. I felt Electra paw at me jealously, but I pushed her away. I then looked up, to see a whole group of the easygoing Drifloon almost out of sight up in the clouds, floating slowly past the cliffs.

"Are those your friends?" I was answered when Drifloon bopped back into my face and wrapped itself firmly, but not too tightly around me. "I guess not..." I murmured, patting Drifloon on the head.

I decided to have Drifloon join us for lunch, much to the jealous Electra's dislike, but Drifloon wasn't letting me go anyways. Even as we all ate a nice lunch, Drifloon kept one arm wrapped around my wrist the whole time.

He did the same when I packed everything up, and returned my Pokemon to their Pokeballs for a well deserved rest. I played with Drifloon's string as I walked. The rest of the afternoon was slow, and we didn't run into any other trainers. As the sun began to set, I stopped at another open area, and poked Drifloon. He squealed, and floated back and forth thanks to my poking.

"Do you want to battle or something? I'd really like to take you with me Drifloon. You're super cute and all. What do you say?" I was answered when Drifloon simply tightened his grip on my arm and bopped into my face again. I frowned, not able to discern the meaning of that action he seemed to favor. "Okay... Well, I'm going to try."

I reached into my white and pink duffel bag, and pulled out an empty ping pong sized Pokeball. I pressed the middle button with one hand, enlarging the ball, and I tossed the ball gently at Drifloon's soft forehead. Unfortunately, the ghost and flying type had other ideas. Before it even touched Drifloon, the Pokemon had smacked the capsule right back at me, and it instead hit me in my nose.

"Ouch!" I rubbed my face and bent down to pick up the unused Pokeball. "...I guess not. Well, if you don't want to be partners with me, why are you sticking around?" Of course, I didn't get an answer. Why can't I talk with Pokemon instead of having nightmares and psychotic episodes? It'd be so much more useful... Still though, I can't just make him leave. I'd feel bad. He really is a cutie...

That night was the first time since I'd met Drifloon that he let go of me, to float aimlessly at the top of my tent. I watched him for a long time. His movements made me drowsy, and yet I couldn't fall asleep. It was some time before I drifted off, to a thankfully dreamless sleep.

The next two days were full of traveling across the rigid but pretty landscape, and battling trainers here and there, along with some wild Pokemon. We lost against two trainers, but had many delightful victories as well. Drifloon stayed the whole time, being pulled behind me, but refusing to battle or be caught. Trainers gave us strange looks when I told them why I was tugging around a wild Pokemon, but there wasn't much that I could do about it. I didn't want to send him away, I wanted to make him a part of my team, but I didn't want to just right out attack him when all he did was follow me around.

Finally, we made it to the forest. It was a very intimidating sight actually. The rock ended extremely abruptly, and turned immediately into a forest so thick I couldn't see three feet into it. It seemed darker than it was green, and a grey, haze-like fog hung over the trees.

I took a deep breath, as the forest unnerved me a bit. When I glanced up at Drifloon, I felt a bit comforted. He looked just like a balloon for a child, and that made me feel much safer.

"Do you mind Drifloon?" I asked, even though he couldn't have known what I was asking him.

"Waroo." I took that as a yes, and I gently grabbed him and held Drifloon close to my chest.

The only indication of any sort of path into Eterna Forest, was a an old, beaten down, wooden sign. I was kind of amazed that it was still standing actually. I couldn't even read what it said, but right next to it was a thin path which lead into the woods, so I figured that must be the way in. Clutching Drifloon a little tighter, I stepped over some ferns, and onto the beaten path.

"There's barely even any sunlight here..." I said to myself, looking up at the canopy.

"Frooo." After just a few minutes, I saw a flickering orange light up ahead. A campfire. In a tiny clearing, lighting up the forest even though it was the early afternoon. I tripped over a stick on my way over, and swore quietly. I could hear Drifloon blow out a bit of air when I squeezed him accidentally.

"Hello? Who's there?" An even and gentle voice came from near the fire, but it was too dark for me to see anything quite yet.

"Um, hi?" I then stumbled into the clearing, taking in a sharp breath before standing back up and adjusting my hat. I was met with the sight of a woman, a couple of years older than I was, sitting on a stump next to a Pokemon which was very familiar to me. The Chansey greeted me with a smile.

"Chans!"

"Sorry about running into your camp,"

"Don't be miss. I set up right in the entrance. My campfire is sitting on the path." She gave me a kind smile which I embarrassingly returned. She then stood up, and I got a better look at her.

She was probably sixteen or seventeen, and rather tall. Her hair was the color of the tree leaves back home in Twinleaf, but not the dim ones here in the forest. Her loose braid came all the way down to her waist. She was also wearing a pretty, long, green dress. The lady stepped towards me and held out her hand. I took it and shook, and despite her timid appearance and gentle voice, her grip was firm and confident.

"My name is Cheryl. It's nice to meet you. And your name is?"

"Ah, Hikari. It's nice to meet you too!"

"Floo!" Cheryl's green gaze fell to the ghost and flying type greeting her in my arms. She smiled again and held out her palm, and Drifloon happily shook her hand as well.

"Nice to meet you too cutie." Cheryl then looked back up at me. "Actually, I am sincerely glad to have met you Hikari." I turned my head curiously.

"Why's that?"

"Have you ever heard of the group Team Galactic?" I nodded my head with a scowl. "You see, there's been sightings of them in this forest, and I want to get through, but I'm afraid of doing it alone." She's very direct, and says what she feels. She seems very nice. "I think that there would be safety in numbers. That's why I'm camped out here. I've been waiting for another trainer to pass through. Please Hikari, may I travel with you, at least until we leave the forest? I have plenty of supplies, and Chansey is an expert healer. We will keep your Pokemon in perfect health."

"Of course! There's no need to be so generous either Cheryl, I have lots of supplies myself." Cheryl bowed slightly towards me.

"Thank you so much. I look forward to getting along with you Hikari."

"Same to you Cheryl!" We shook hands again, and I helped Cheryl to pack up her campsite and put out her fire. Then we set off through the maze that was Eterna Forest.

There were some times where we had to walk one by one, since the path was so narrow and the surrounding forest so thick, but Cheryl was good company, and smart too.

"So that Drifloon has just been following you around for awhile now?"

"Yup. But I couldn't possibly just... Well, kick him out. He's just so cute, and I'd really like to catch him, but he just won't have any of it!" Cheryl giggled a bit, and it struck me how mature she sounded whenever she spoke or even laughed.

"He?" I gave her a funny look when she said that, and Cheryl laughed again. "You do realize that Drifloon is a girl?"

"What?! How do you know?"

"That's what my Pokedex said. Didn't you check?" My face heated up and I quickly found the device in my bag.

"Ummm... I guess I'd better start saying 'she', huh?" We laughed together and I poked Drifloon in his rubbery side. "And you never corrected me sweetie pie!"

"Flooon!"

"Hm. She seems to like you a lot though. It's quite curious why she hasn't wanted to be caught."

"I know! I really do want to add her to my team, but I can't just carry her around forever..."

"It seems that the only choice you have is to try and figure out why Drifloon is staying with you."

"Yeah... I guess I'm just not that patient."

"That's alright. It takes time to learn how to be patient, especially as Pokemon Trainer."

"And Coordinator." I added instinctively.

"Coordinator too?" I nodded my head. "I'm impressed Hikari. That's a lot to take on and learn so quickly." I shrugged at her.

"I suppose. I really do enjoy doing them both though."

"That's good."

"Excuse us!" Cheryl and I both turned our heads to see two boys about my age crashing through the forest, both with bug nets in hand. "Would you two ladies battle us?" Cheryl and I glanced at each other and smiled, then my new friend answered.

"Of course. We would love to battle with you."

"Great! Burmy, I choose you!"

"Dustox, go!" I didn't hesitate as I reached for a Pokeball and released Electra.

"Electra, spot-light!"

"Chansey, you're up!"

"Okay Electra, use Spark on Dustox!"

"Burmy you use Protect!" My attack was blocked out by Burmy, but Dustox's trainer quickly went into action himself.

"Dustox use Gust!" Both Cheryl and I's Pokemon braced themselves for the attack.

"Tail Whip Chansey!"

"Tackle on Chansey Burmy!"

"Use Spark on Burmy Electra!" Electra's attack countered Burmy's, and she did a lot of damage herself.

"Confusion on Electra Dustox!" Electra was promptly thrown into a large tree, but Cheryl was on it.

"Use Soft-Boiled on Electra Chansey!"

"Thanks Cheryl! Swagger on Dustox Electra!" Dustox, after being confused, flapped it's wings frantically, and couldn't control its direction. The poison and bug type fell into it's partner Pokemon.

"Hey! Get Dustox out of there! Burmy, use Bug Bite on Chansey!" Chansey couldn't dodge the attack, and nearly fell over trying to knock Burmy away.

"Use Bite on Burmy Electra!" My electric type managed to tear it's opponent away from Chansey.

"C'mon Dustox, snap out of it! Use Gust!" Dustox was unable to attack, and scraped against the ground again.

"Egg Bomb on Dustox Chansey!"

"You use Spark on Dustox too Electra!" After our combined attacks, Dustox was out of the battle, and it's trainer returned their unconscious Pokemon with a miserable look on their face. The remaining trainer looked nervous, and although we waited a few seconds for him to command his Pokemon, he remained quiet.

"Okay then! Electra, use Spark again!"

"Protect Burmy!"

"Use Tail Whip Chansey!" I was ready when Protect finally ended, and yelled to Electra right away.

"Thunder Wave!"

"Dodge it!" Burmy was unable to dodge, and was instead paralyzed much to my delight.

"Now use Bite again Electra!" The Shinx threw the bug type, and Cheryl finished up the battle with Chansey.

"Alright Chansey, use Egg Bomb!"

"Oh no!"

"It's alright buddy, next time for sure!" Then the two trainers returned their Pokemon and ran off again.

"Alright Cheryl, that was great!" I high fived her, and for the first time since I'd met Cheryl, she seemed doubtful.

"You think so Hikari?"

"Of course!" Cheryl blushed a bit, and rubbed the back of her neck while patting Chansey on the head.

"Chansey isn't really trained offensively, so I'm sorry if I wasn't much help to you."

"Oh please Cheryl, you were really helpful and awesome during that battle!" Cheryl smiled at me again, and we took a minute to heal our Pokemon. Then it was back up on our feet, and traveling through the never ending forest again.

Tuesday, March 4th

I'M SO SORRY I PROMISE SHINJI WILL BE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER BUT ISN'T DRIFLOON ADORABLE!? I swear he'll be back soon! Please review the chapter and check out some of my other stories too! I've just come out with some Christmas Pokemon One Shots, so check that out!