Review response: Dear Eevee-Snivy, I am flattered you enjoy my story so much! I wrote this story for NaNoWriMo which stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal of the writing challenge was to write 50,000 words during the month of November. I reached my word goal five days before the thirtieth but have yet to finish the entire story. Thank for the lovely review.

Dear AliceBaskervile123, Thank you! I have worked very hard on this story and am pleased you continue to enjoy it.

Chapter Three: First Journey

"Can we please take a lunch break, now?" Castor rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh at Sekani's whine. By the Guardian! I know Sekani has good qualities ... so why can't he show them more often instead of being so annoying?

Castor ground his teeth together, knowing that Sekani was only whining because he was bored and knew it would spark an interesting reaction from his fiery friend, "For the hundredth time, no. We aren't going to stop till we reach Otachi Town! So stop asking before I use Ember on you."

Sekani suddenly popped out of the tall grass in front of Castor with a loud, "Why not?" Castor yelled in surprise and instinctively sent scorching embers flying from his mouth at his 'attacker'. Sekani squealed as one landed on his forehead and ignited into a minuscule flame.

He frantically began running in circles and slapping at it, "Help! I'm burning! I'm going to become roasted Aipom and my beautiful, handsome, fetching face will be utterly disfigured and I'll never find a lovely Pokemon to mate with me because they'll all run in terror at my horrible flame-scarred face and my life will be ruined forever and ever and-"

Castor calmly sidestepped for the WaterGun attack he knew was coming. The blast of freezing blue water nailed Sekani full in his face and sent him spinning into the air with a gurgling yell. The overdramatic purple furred monkey landed several feet away on his bum, a tiny trail of steam rising from his forehead where the ember had landed.

Sekani sat up and began to sulk, "That was overboard, Cora. Using a full power WaterGun on me, now my fur is soaking!"

Cora snorted, "Really? From the way you were screaming I would have thought that there was an island wide inferno. Besides, I needed to soak the ground and make sure that none of Castor's flaming little friends set this whole field on fire."

Dale climbed off of the rock he'd been using as a lookout and was obviously working to keep the chuckle out of his voice, "Technically this field is too healthy to catch on fire from a mere Ember attack. The moisture stored in the grass would prevent the fire from igniting more than a few blades before dying out. However, Sekani's scream was impressive."

Sekani took turns glaring at them, "Yeah, hilarious. I'm so glad that my pain has given you such pleasure. Can we have lunch now?"

Castor patted his friend's head, "When you put it that way ... no, not until we reach Otachi Town." Sekani began to wail as they walked until Cora threatened to use WaterGun on him again. After this threat, he set about sulking silently, attempting to discourage the laughter and talk among the other three with his miserable looks.

When this failed, Sekani scampered off into the grass without a word. Dale stopped and looked around, "Where did Sekani go off too?" His ears drooped, "I hope we didn't drive him off ... perhaps we teased him too much."

Castor shook his head, "Nah, he's simply hiding somewhere in the hopes that I'll relent and call a lunch break."

Dale looked around, "Is he really that hungry?" Cora snorted at the thought.

Castor shook his head, "No, he's just bored and hopes that if he complains enough he'll spark an interesting reaction from one of us to relieve his boredom."

Dale narrowed his eyes, "Is that so?" Without another word he vanished into the tall grass. Several minutes passed without a sound from either of the two missing travelers. Castor and Cora stopped walking and looked around. Where did he go?

A loud thump sounded off to their left and was quickly followed by Sekani's unmistakable yelp of outrage "Hey!" The Aipom ran into view, whirled and curled his tiny purple front paws into fists, "What was that for you crazy Eevee?"

Dale jumped into view, a smile playing on his lips, "Castor said you were bored, so I challenge you to a practice fight." As he spoke, Dale wiggled out of his satchel's strap and laid it on the ground gently

Sekani flexed his tail and flung his satchel to one side, "Fine, if that's the way you want it!" He spun around and began kicking at the dirt with his cream colored back paws, sending a SandAttack straight at Dale. Dale leaped to one side, shook the dirt and grass out of his fur, and took off running. The three legged Eevee became a blur of brown, running in a looping figure-eight pattern around Sekani.

Castor and Cora climbed onto a rock to watch the fight. Sekani stopped his SandAttack and looked around frantically, trying to keep his eyes on the surprisingly fast Dale. The brown streak abruptly changed course and smashed into Sekani's back, knocking him flat on his face. Dale landed on Sekani's back with a thump. The flattened Aipom grunted from underneath him, "I thought this was a practice battle!"

Dale nodded even though Sekani wouldn't be able to see it, "I did, but what's the good of a practice fight if you hold back on the attacks?"

Sekani growled and tensed, "Fine!" His tail lashed out and smacked hard against Dale's cheek. Dale grunted as he was knocked off of his opponent and sent rolling by the powerful Tail Whip attack. With a well practiced flip, Dale landed on his feet and skidded to a stop a short distance away from Sekani.

Sekani leaped to his feet, "Let's see how you deal with Scratch Attack!" His left paw pulled back and his claws gleamed dangerously in the sunlight. Dale shied back as the claws sliced through the air at him, barely dodging in time. Eevee fur floated into the air, revealing just how close a call it had been.

Cora gasped in surprise, "Woah, Sekani! Take it easy on the claws! It's just practice!"

Castor gently touched Cora's shell, "Don't worry, I get the feeling that Dale can handle Sekani. Even when he's playing at being enraged."

Cora glanced at Castor skeptically, "Playing at? He looks sincere to me."

Both friends turned back to watching the fight. Sekani was attempting Scratch Attack after Scratch Attack, hoping to force Dale into stumbling. Dale however, wore a look of total calm and concentration. Each attack came within millimeters of cutting his flesh, but it was as if he was simply dancing around between gusts of stiff wind, allowing it to blow him out of the way right before it made contact.

Finally, Sekani stopped, his chest was heaving and he had to prop himself up on his knees to keep from plopping face-first onto the ground. Dale stopped, no more then two feet away from the panting Aipom. Sekani huffed out a challenge, "Is that ... all you ... can do? Run away? Why don't ... you hold ... still and face me like ... a Pokemon!"

Dale didn't reply, he simply flatted his ears and charged. Sekani's eyes widened and he reared back, hoping to get out of the way. Dale twisted in the air and sent his shoulder squarely against Sekani's chest in a powerful Tackle Attack, sending Sekani flying. He hit the ground and skidded for a good five feet before coming to an abrupt stop at the base of the rock Castor and Cora were sitting openmouthed on.

"Ouch..." the wheezing moan snapped Castor out of his daze.

The Charmander leaped to the ground and leaned over Sekani, "Hey, are you okay? Talk to me!"

Sekani moaned again and feebly used his tail hand to rub his chest. "No problem," he gasped out, "it's just a broken everything..."

Cora sighed and opened her bag, "Well he can't be hurt too bad. His mouth still works as snarkily as before." She fished out a Sitrus berry and popped it forcibly into Sekani's mouth, "Here, eat this you idiot Aipom, it will help you."

Sekani slowly chewed the berry and swallowed. Three long moments passed and Castor was about to worry, when his friend leaped to his feet gleefully, "Yum! That was great! Gimme another one, Cora!"

Cora snatched up her bag and ran away, "Oh no you don't! Sitrus berries are only to be used as an energy restore! Not a Snorelax sized buffet! Now make like a Bug-type and buzz off!" Dale gave a tired laugh and flopped down amid the grass.

Castor studied the Eevee, he looked like he'd just run across the entire island. His fur was matted with sweat, his pink tongue lolling out like a Lickitung's, and his ears were drooping. Yikes, he looks like the loser of that fight, not the winner. Castor reached into his satchel and fished out a Sitrus berry, "Here," he placed it in front of Dale, "you look like you need it."

One of Dale's ears twitched faintly and he glanced from the berry to Castor and back. He smiled weakly and munched on the hard, smooth tasting berry. Almost as soon as he'd swallowed it, his ears stood up straight and he sat up. He sighed with relief, "Thank you, Castor. I may have won the fight, but Sekani is surprisingly tough to beat."

Castor waved his tail and raised his eye-ridges in surprise, "Really? You made it look like it was easy." Dale shook his head and walked slowly over to his satchel.

As Castor fastened it to his back, Dale answered, "It may have looked easy, but I only won because I have a higher experience level. If someone of the same experience level as Sekani fought him, they would probably lose."

Castor paused, "How did you know your level is higher than his?" how high is it exactly I wonder? Only higher than Sekani's? Or is it higher than all of ours?

Dale shrugged, "He used Scratch Attack when his mood would have clearly made Astonish a more effective choice." Castor made a soft 'ah' noise and the two went to aid Cora, who was attempting to ward off Sekani with Bubble Attack.

After restraining Sekani became increasingly more difficult, Castor called a lunch break. The four friends were soon happily munching away on some sweet tasting roots Dale had dug up yesterday. Cora looked off into the distance, suddenly looking sad. Castor stopped eating and looked over at her, "What's wrong, Cora. Are you feeling okay?"

Cora sighed, "I'm okay, I guess. It's just that ... its been almost two weeks since we left Nagai Kusa and I keep wondering how everyone is doing and what they think of us simply disappearing. They probably think we've abandoned the village."

Sekani swallowed his mouth-full of roots and patted Cora's shell comfortingly, "You don't need to worry about that, Cora. They know exactly where we're going and why." Everyone froze and turned to look at Sekani.

Dale narrowed his eyes curiously, "How in the name of Ho-Oh would they know that?"

Sekani tapped his front paws together nervously, "Well ... I kind of ... possibly got caught by Healer Miltank when I went to get the satchels and she might have possibly threatened to sit on me if I didn't explain what I was doing and I might just have told her everything I knew about Castor's plan..."

Cora slapped her forehead with a paw, "You are such a coward, Sekani. She's a healer, she would never have sat on a young Pokemon! She was bluffing and you totally fell for it."

Sekani used his tail hand to hide his face but Castor simply shrugged, "That's okay, it isn't like our plan was a secret. It was simply spontaneous." He turned to Cora, "Besides, that means the villagers know that we haven't abandoned them and can tell your parents where you've gone when they get back from their trip."

Cora squeaked and withdrew into her shell with fright, "I forgot about that! My dad is going to have my head for leaving without permission!"

Dale cocked his head to one side, "Why? You're the required age for going on a Discovering, let alone a little trip like this one."

Cora's voice sounded muffled from within her shell, "Try telling your overprotective Venusaur father that! He thinks I'm way too small for even going to the berry orchard and back without an escort!"

Dale looked baffled, "Too small? How can he think that? You look a perfectly healthy size and you've already learned WaterGun."

Cora slowly stuck her head out of shell and deadpanned at Dale, "You've never met a Venusaur have you? Everything looks too small to them, except maybe another Venusaur or a Charizard or a Blastoise like my mom."

Dale still looked slightly confused but obviously decided to believe her statement. Castor felt his mind drift briefly back to his memories of his time in the Home Den of clan Charizard. Cora was right, to Pokemon the size of a Charizard, everything seemed small, especially their un-evolved children.

He stood up and reached for his satchel, "Well, I think we've lazed around long enough. I still want to reach Otachi Town before nightfall." Dale and Cora nodded, Sekani groaned dramatically, and they all grabbed their satchels and stood up. Soon they were traipsing across the open grasslands and rolling hills that stood between them and Otachi Town, the main hub of activity for the grasslands and those visiting them.

As they walked, Cora suddenly spoke up, "Hey, Dale? Can I ask you something?" One of Dale's ears flicked to the side so it was pointing at her, thus stating his silent acknowledgement of her presence and giving his permission to ask. Cora sounded slightly shy as she voiced her question, "You said earlier that you were coming to Nagai Kusa Village when the earthquake hit, why? I thought everyone who went on a Discovering would go to places like Otachi Town or Doragon City or the other hubs of the island ... so why come to Nagai Kusa?"

Dale glanced over at her, a look of surprise on his face, "Is that all you think there is to the Discovering? Going to all of the main towns on the island?"

Cora ducked her head, suddenly embarrassed, "Sorry, I guess I thought ... just never mind, forget I asked."

Dale moved closer to her side, "No, it's okay, I was just startled by the question. I was headed to your village because it was the closest grassland stop on the way to Otachi Town. I started my Discovering from the Eeveelution Home Den in Meiro Woods, so your village seemed like the perfect stop to get some supplies and get an idea of what the grasslands were like."

Sekani jumped into the conversation, "So essentially, you are just traveling to all the region capitals on the island and our happy little home was just a pitstop."

Dale shook his head, "It's not like that. Yes, I am going to visit all of the region capitals, but I want to get an accurate feel for the region I'm traveling through. For instance, if I only visited Otachi Town during my time on the grasslands, I would get to see many of the Types who live here, but I wouldn't get to understand fully how those different species work together to form a functioning community that isn't designed specifically for visitors."

Castor hazarded a thought, "I don't want to interrupt ... but what is the Discovering all about. I've heard different Pokemon say different things about it and I would like to know what the Discovering's actual purpose is."

Dale's face grew thoughtful, "I think it is as unique as the Pokemon experiencing it. Some are just going for the adventure, others want exposure to new ideas, some simply want to find the perfect place to settle down but are tired of their home region." He stopped talking and looked up at the sky, studying the white traces of cloud lacing through the blue heavens above him.

Cora gently touched his shoulder with a paw, "What about you, Dale? Which of those is your reason to be on a Discovering?"

The Eevee's voice was soft murmur as he returned his gaze to the thin dirt path before them, "To be honest, Cora? I don't really know." Silence fell on the group once more as each one pondered what Dale had said.

Castor inwardly mused about his own life, how his mother had left the Home Den, taking him, her only child, along with her and settled down in Nagai Kusa. That had been the only trip he had ever really made up till now. Maybe I should consider this the start of my own Discovering ... I always wanted to see what the rest of the island was like.

A joyful cry broke through his thoughts, "Hey, come quickly! I can see Otachi Town from here!" Castor looked up sharply to the top of the hill just in front of them, Sekani was preforming a jig at its very top.

Castor suddenly smiled, turned to his other two friends and said, "Last one there is a rotten Exeggcute!" With that, he took off up the hill as fast as he could, ignoring the mock outraged cries of 'cheater!' coming from behind him.

As he got halfway up the hill, the sound of paws thumping the ground behind him got steadily closer. It sounds like Dale! By Lugia! How can he run so fast on three legs? Castor felt himself speed up, his tail waving wildly and its flame burning extra bright from adrenaline. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Dale, his friend's face was happy and determined.

As Dale pulled up beside him, he grinned and called between pants for air, "You know what happens to cheaters don't you?"

Castor laughed, "They get a head start and win?"

Dale shook his head, "Nope, they get a head start, forcing the other racers to team up and get him." Dale looked over his shoulder and yelled, "Now, Cora!"

Castor jerked his head around to see what Cora was doing so fast that he stumbled over his own two back paws and with a yelp of surprise fell flat on his snout. Cora ran passed him, her giggles could be clearly heard, "One distraction attack successfully completed, Dale! Race you to the top!"

Castor scrambled up and chased after them, "Now look who's cheating! Come back here!"

By the time Castor reached the top, Dale and Cora were already flopped happily on the grass, admiring the view and arguing over who won. Castor flopped down between them and lightly cuffed the two. Cora rubbed the side of her head and raised an eye-ridge at him, "What was that for Oh Flaming One?"

Castor put on a mock scowl, "That wasn't fair guys. You two cheated and I say that I win by default."

Dale snorted, "How was that unfair? It was simply payback for taking off before we were ready. Besides, racing rules clearly state that mild attacks may be used to get ahead."

Castor gaped at Dale's audacity, "Come on! There is no such thing as a distraction attack! You guys made me trip."

Sekani snickered, "Dude, if there is no such thing as a distraction attack, then how could they make you trip?" Castor, seeing there was no way to win the friendly argument, simply muttered under his breath and turned his gaze down the hill. Otachi Town lay sprawled out beneath them, it was easily over three times the size of Nagai Kusa. It's many dens and stores were arranged in neat lines with clearly defined paths leading to each one. From his vantage point on the hill, Castor could see crowds of Pokemon bustling here and there on their daily business and faintly hear the murmurs of conversation.

It's so big! How in the name of Groudon could this be considered one of the smaller regional capitals? How much bigger does that make Doragon City? Cora looked as awe struck as Castor felt and he knew she was thinking the same thing. After all, Doragon City was said to be the size of all the region capitals put together. Dale was the first to break the trance, he stood up and began to slowly pad down the hill.

Looking over his shoulder, he called, "Come on! We need to find a place to stay for the night and then I want to explore!" The other three friends quickly regained their senses and hurried after him. Castor's heart pounded excitedly at the thought of exploring the town and seeing its sights. This trip will definitely be one worth remembering!

As the four young Pokemon entered the town, they were immediately struck by the sounds, sights, and smells all around. Pokemon were chatting or haggling over goods, each with a unique scent that made it stand out like a flag.

Right from the start, Castor noticed that most of the shopkeepers were either Sentret or their evolved form Furret. The Sentret shopkeepers would often stand up on their bushy but incredibly strong tails to see over the crowd and call to potential customers or simply to wave hello to a passing friend.

"Excuse me!" Castor turned and hastily got out of the way of a befuddled looking female Dodrio. The three headed bird stood there uncertainly, each one of its heads bobbing up and down and looking in a different direction. The center head bent its long neck down so that it was eye level with the smaller Charmander, "Hello, I don't suppose you know the way to fifty-fifth Sitrus Berry Lane?"

Castor spotted the familiar saddle-bags of a Dodrio delivery runner and shook his head apologetically, "Sorry, I just got here from Nagai Kusa."

The head on the right pecked the center head angrily, "I could have told you he'd be no help! He's a Charmander obviously on a Discovering! They don't live around here!"

The left head spoke up timidly, "But, there was always a chance that he might a have a friend here who would know the way..."

The right head reached over and tried to peck the left head but said head stretched as far away from its attacker as possible and thus remained out of reach. The center head lightly returned the peck given by its right-side counterpart, "Watch your mouth! If you hadn't insisted we take that supposed 'shortcut' we wouldn't be late to begin with!"

Castor politely edged away from the arguing Dodrio, hoping that he could slip away before the right-side head decided to peck him. However, as he continued to edge into the crowd, accompanied by his friends, the Dodrio completely ignored him. Dale shook his head in amazement, "The heads are supposed to represent three different emotions, sadness, joy, and anger."

Sekani shrugged and waved his tail, "At the moment, none of them look happy or sad, just ticked."

Cora glanced over her shoulder, "I hope they figure out where they are..." Castor nodded slowly, yeah, if they get any more frustrated, that right head might start pecking everyone!

Castor began looking around, they were apparently on a street where the buildings were made up purely of store fronts. Each store had a special wooden sign hanging over it, beautifully carved with symbols of what they were selling. Dale reared up and lightly sniffed at one of the signs with an herb symbol on it, "Just as I thought, these signs are made of wood from a Sugar Maple tree. That means they were imported from Meiro Woods."

Eventually, Castor spotted a sign with the symbol of a nest on it, signifying its use as an inn for Pokemon. "Come on, lets get signed in and then we can explore."

Cora suddenly looked worried, "Umm, Castor? What are we going to use to pay for a night's rest? Some inns only take ornamental goods."

Castor shrugged as he pushed open the stone door, "Then we look for another inn, this can't be the only one in Otachi Town."

The innkeeper turned out to be an overgenerous Wigglytuff. The Wigglytuff was all too happy to give them a room free of charge, having assumed that they were all Pokemon on a Discovering together because of the diversity of their group. Soon, they were all standing in a spacious underground room with four nests, each one a different style.

Castor inspected each nest with his eyes. There was a smooth, slightly dished rock for Fire or Rock-Types. Two nests made out of packed dirt and fresh grass for Grass, Normal, or a host of other types that liked their nests that way. Finally, perched in the center of a small clear pool, was another dished rock with reeds lining its insides for their native Water-type Cora. Lighting the entire room were windows to the outside at the four main compass points, east, west, north, and south.

Cora seemed impressed, "Wow, no wonder she claimed to have the best inn in Otachi Town. This is really great!"

Sekani sprawled out on one of the grass nests, snuggling deep into it he called cheerfully, "Mine!" and pretended to fall asleep.

Dale sniffed at the other grass bed and then nodded his approval, "Yes, Madam Wigglytuff was certainly generous ... though I feel a little bit bad about not paying her."

Castor nodded, he felt the same way, "I know, but she wouldn't take no for an answer or believe me when I said that you were the only one on a Discovering."

Sekani looked up from his pretend sleeping, "Hey, don't look a gift berry in the skin! Its her inn, if she wants to give us a free room, that's just fine by me!"

Cora lightly cuffed Sekani's ear, "You're as greedy as a Purrloin, you know that? But he does have a point Castor, if she really wants to give us a free room then it would be rude to turn it down. Maybe we can trade for a gift to give her before we leave."

Castor perked up slightly at the thought, "Yeah! That is a great idea, Cora! Speaking of shopping, let's go see the sights around here before nightfall." With a hearty cheer, the four friends picked up their satchels and trotted off to see what Otachi Town had to offer.