.

~~**VI**~~

Dreams by the Yard Full

Gwen watched in horror as the ray of Solarbeam headed right for Oshawott, knowing that this would be game over. Two losses meant no Gym Badge. But then she remembered when Pikachu had used Thunderbolt on Oshawott and his scalchop had deflected it toward her. Maybe...

"Oshawott, deflect it!" she called out.

Oshawott snapped out of his own fear and pulled his scalchop from his belly, raising it just in time to catch the Solarbeam. He was pushed back against a boulder until the attack was redirected and shot into the sky, phasing out.

He did it. Oshawott did it! "That was amazing, Oshawott!" Gwen called, proud of her little Pokemon. This was why she'd chosen him to go against a Grass-Type Pokemon like Pansage.

"Now, that was a truly fascinating defense move!" Cilan complimented. "Oshawott deflected our Solarbeam with its scalchop. I've seen many an Oshawott in my time, but that was a first!"

Gwen felt a warmth from Cilan's compliment, a wide grin pulling at her lips. "You just wait. You'll see my Oshawott is a cut above the rest!"

Cilan smiles, ready for the challenge. "Impressive. Then there's no holding back! Alright Pansage, Bullet Seed!"

"Block it with your scalchop!" Gwen ordered, new confidence in her strategy growing bit by bit as Oshawott perfectly deflects Pansage's attacks. "Now, Razor Shell!" Oshawott leapt into the air with his blade, heading right for Pansage.

But Cilan called for Bullet Seed once more, striking right at Oshawott and knocking the scalchop right out of his hand. He dropped right to the ground, his attack a complete miss.

Not wanting to waste a second, Gwen called for him to take back his scalchop. But Cilan countered with Bullet Seed again, aiming for Oshawott's path to his scalchop and preventing him from retrieving it. One seed bonked him right in the head and lands him back on the ground. Gwen cringed at how much that had to hurt.

"Hm, alright let's begin," Cilan began speaking. "The time for the battle to be served is here!"

Gwen cocked a brow, first at what he said and second at the girls who were sent into a flurry of squeals. What was Cilan up to? His expression fell to look somewhat bummed. What, did he not like how this battle is turning out or something?

"I'm afraid you and Oshawott aren't quite as robust as I'd hoped you'd be," he said.

Gwen scoffed, not believing what this guy was saying. He might just be as bad as Iris!

"Your battle has no spice and your attacks are rather bland." He gave an apologetic smile, but it hardly worked as Gwen felt her temper slowly rising. "Sorry, but what a let down."

Now Gwen was at a full glare, her eyes darting over her glasses. "Sorry to disappoint you," she snapped.

Cilan shrugged. "Well, look at your Oshawott and look at my Pansage. Oshawott it ready to collapse and Pansage is still battle ready. His crisp attacks give off the fragrant aroma of a freshly mowed lawn. The star of the battlefield! Dare I say it, Pansage is the most brilliant battler ever!"

Gwen nearly groaned at Cilan's eccentric scene. Dork. And a rude one at that.

"And the fact that you challenged my Grass-Type with a Water-Type tells me you're far from refined," Cilan continued. "Your taste buds don't appreciate the gourmet things in life."

Gwen tsked. "There's more to a Pokemon battle than what type you Pokemon is, so don't sell my Oshawott short!" she called out.

But he just quirks a brow, amused, as if Gwen was a mere child. "Now you sound desperate. With that kind of sour attitude, you'll just spoil the flavor of Oshawott's battle."

Done with Cilan's comments, Gwen pointed him down. "We'll see about that! Hope you're still smiling when I knock your ego right off that pedestal!" She looked to her Oshawott. "Oshawott, use Water Gun and aim it at that wall!" She pointed to the wall to her left. Oshawott looked warily at her, but she reassured him. "Trust me, just do it." He shot water at the wall, which bounces off and between the rocks, hitting the scalchop and sending it flying.

Cilan stared in amazement. "Well well, you do have some surprising flavors!" he exclaimed.

Gwen grinned. "Catch it Oshawott, and then use Razor Shell!"

Oshawott leapt for his scalchop and sends water into it, forming the blade and going straight for Pansage. Cilan called out for his Pokemon to use Bite and the two collide. There was a tense few seconds as they both stood, until Pansage fell backward, knocked out.

Her heart leaped in her chest as Chili announced her as the winner. Pumping her hands in the air, she cheered for her victory. She, Pikachu, and Growlithe race for Oshawott, Gwen folded her arms around Oshawott, holding him close. "You did it, Oshawott! I'm so proud!"

From her ankles, Growlithe and Pikachu were cheering as well. They moved off the arena to the three brothers, Cress holding out a small tray in his hands that held the Gym Badge. The badge is designed as three diamonds stacked on top of each other, in the color order of blue, red and green from top to bottom. "This is for you, Gwen," Cress said.

"This Badge proves you beat the Striaton Gym," Chili explained.

"It's called the Trio Badge," Cilan added.

With a smile, Gwen took the badge, holding it out to her Pokemon for them to see. "Look at what we earned!" she said to her three Pokemon. It didn't matter that Pikachu lost his match, he still put in a winning effort. Pikachu knew that too, and he smiled at their combined victory.

Gwen then turned up to Iris on the balcony. "What did you think, Iris?" she goaded. "I won." Who was a little kid now?

But Iris rolled her eyes. "You didn't have to battle all three Gym Leaders," she said. "Do you have the foggiest idea how uncool it would have looked if you'd been beaten after you chose to make it more difficult?"

Now that girl really just strung the last of Gwen's nerves. If she never saw Iris again, it would be too soon. "You could have said something nice, you know!" Gwen snapped.

Iris scoffed with a smirk. "You're very lucky that even though your Pokemon had a type disadvantage, you still came through," she added. "Maybe you should forget luck and put a little thought into strategy and better moves."

Gwen seethed. Bitch! That girl was lucky to be up on a balcony, because if she were any closer, Gwen would have strangled her. Not only that, but Gwen had some words for that little annoyance.

But she didn't get to say anything as a hand came to rest at her shoulder. "Now now, save it for later," Cilan said from over her shoulder. "Although the combination of the two of you does conjure up a certain bouquet."

Gwen knotted her brow. "Bouquet?" How did Iris's condescending remarks that strained Gwen's nerves amount to anything other than Iris's need to keep her mouth shut?

"It means aroma!" Iris shouted.

"I know what it means!" Gwen snapped back.

"We're out of here, Axew," Iris said.

"Hold on," Cilan said. "I thought the two of you were traveling together."

"No we are not!" Iris screamed. She turned to leave the Gym. "Good job, Gwen. See ya!"

Gwen scoffed as well. Traveling with Iris, tch, yeah right. "Bye!" she called, waving her away. Good riddance. That was why Gwen didn't travel with people. They were nothing but irritating at the best of times.

Gwen was going to make her way out of the Gym, but then she remembered. "I'm new in town and I have no idea where the Pokemon Center is," she said to Cilan.

Cilan smiled. "When you leave, head left down three blocks, turn the corner up one more block and it should be on your left."

Gwen nodded. "Thanks." She returned Growlithe and Oshawott to their Pokeballs and went for her bags, leaving the Gym with Pikachu on her shoulder.

Cilan's directions worked for her as she made it to the Pokemon Center without incident. Once inside, she went straight for the counter, placing Growlithe's and Oshawott's Pokeballs in the small tray. Pikachu hopped up beside it.

Nurse Joy approached the counter to greet them. "Hi."

Wait one second. "Haven't we met?" Gwen asked. "In Accumula Town?" She was the nurse that had checked over Growlithe, Gwen was sure of it.

"Huh?" Nurse Joy chuckled. "Oh, of course. You must be talking about my younger sister." She pulled over a picture frame of about two dozen Nurse Joys. She points to one at the top corner. "See? She's the Accumula Town nurse." She then points down to the second row nearer to the middle. "And that's me."

Wow. "You and your sisters sure look alike," Gwen said. Though she was quite glad not to have such sisters.

But Nurse Joy seemed to take it as a compliment. "Thank you."

Pikachu gently called out to greet her as well. "Pikachu."

Her eyes widened slightly at the Unova-rare Pokemon. "How unusual to see a Pikachu. Gym battle today?"

Gwen was about to answer when another voice did so for her. "Already won. She's quite strong."

She turned to see Cilan a short ways behind her. Did he follow her here? "Hey, what are you doing here, Cilan?"

"Well, first thing," he said, pulling out a bottle of elderberry and lime soda. "I thought you might like this."

Gwen smiled, remembering the fuss she'd made over it back at the Gym with a blush. She took the bottle from him. "And secondly?" she asked, knowing that this wasn't the only reason Cilan was here.

"Well, I'd like to chat with you, if you don't mind," he said.

"Of course not," she replied. The two of them made their way upstairs and sat down at the nearest table.

Cilan paused before sitting down. "I can get you a bottle-opener for that."

Gwen shook her head. "No need," she told him. She wedged the bottle cap against the edge of the table and pounded her fist on it. The cap popped off easily.

Cilan sat down with a chuckle. "Well, that's one way to do it."

Gwen nodded. "My old Primeape helped me with that one," she answered, taking a swig of the drink, enjoying the sweet, tartness of the drink. It had been nearly two years since she last had one. "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked, setting the bottle down.

"Our battle, actually," Cilan answered. "It was such a fruitful one. One the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. What struck me were the amazing pairing possibilities between Trainer and Pokemon."

Gwen felt herself smile and blush at his words. "Uh, I don't know what to say," she told him. Though she really didn't.

"There are things I'd like to ask you for future reference," Cilan continued, "as a Pokemon Connoisseur, of course."

Gwen smiled, shifting her glasses. "Okay, shoot."

But she didn't really mean shoot when Cilan shoved a notepad right at her face. Gwen leaned back in her seat, but Cilan kept moving forward.

"So, how do you bring out a Pokemon's hidden zest and nature the way you do?" Cilan asked. "Also, would you fill me in on that secret recipe of yours that allows you to turn a Type-disadvantage into a win? Please, Gwen! I'm dying to know!"

He asked all this without the slightest pause for Gwen to answer. He just kept inching forward and Gwen felt uncomfortable with him in her personal space. He was such a dork. Though now she saw it as a bit endearing. She lifted her hands to push him away from her. "Hey, one question at a time," she said with a chuckle. "And let me breathe." Cilan complied and sat back. "Now, what is it exactly that sticks out about what you want to ask me?" She had no idea what he was talking about when he said "hidden zest and nature and pairing possibilities". He had to simplify that for her.

"My first thought is why you chose to fight with Oshawott in the first place," Cilan said. "It was a win or lose battle that would have cost you the badge and yet you chose a Pokemon with a disadvantage."

Gwen shrugged. "Well, look at Cress and Panpour against me and Pikachu. We didn't get a single attack in, and he had a disadvantage. I don't really understand the difference."

"That's because my brother is methodical in his battling," Cilan answered. "He has a tried-and-true strategy that works well against Electric-Type Pokemon should he face the challenge. But you don't seem to do battle with that deep a mindset."

His earnest way of speaking made Gwen not take offense to the fact that Cilan basically said she didn't enter a Gym Battle with a battle plan. But then again, she really didn't. The biggest plan she had upon the Striaton Gym was that she was going to battle with Growlithe first, regardless of which brother she challenged first. "I guess," Gwen started slowly, "that's because I'm not much of a planner." She looked up at Cilan and cringed at how unhelpful that answer must sound to him. "I know that doesn't sound very impressive, but I'd have to say it's very true. I don't really plan. And when I do, I hardly end up following it. It's not that I don't like planning, it just never works for me."

"Ah, I see," Cilan exclaimed. Really? Because Gwen didn't. "Instinct."

That did make some sense. "Oh, okay," Gwen said. She took another sip from her bottle.

"And why do you believe that Type-advantages shouldn't be the height of a Pokemon battle?" Cilan asked next.

Gwen smiled at that. "I remember you saying that not going by Type-advantage meant I didn't appreciate the gourmet things in life. But I see it differently. Using Type-advantage sometimes feels too easy. To you, it's gourmet. To me, it can get a bit bland. Are you depending on your Pokemon itself? Or just its Type?"

"Well, if you ask me," Cilan stated, "that could end up with a sour taste."

"Yes, it can," Gwen agreed. "And believe me that it's done just that in many of my Pokemon battles over the years. In fact, my first Gym battle was between me and Pikachu against an Onyx. A Rock and Ground-Type. I didn't win the first time...or the second. But during our third match, I got lucky." Gwen remembered that day well, when she and Pikachu made the sprinklers go off and soak Onyx, making it vulnerable to Pikachu's Thunderbolt, winning the match. "Ever since, I don't really ignore Type-advantage and disadvantage, but it doesn't dictate how I conduct all my Pokemon battles."

Gwen took another swig of her drink and Cilan opened his mouth for another question. But before he could utter a word, the intercom interrupted them. "Excuse me, Gwen. Your Pokemon have made a full recovery."

Gwen rose to her feet, draining the rest of her bottle and then tossing it in the recycling right behind her seat. She looked back to Cilan. "Sorry for the interruption."

Cilan rose from his seat as well. "No problem."

Gwen stepped down the stairs and around the counter. Approaching her, a cart that held her two Pokeballs and Pikachu was wheeled by a large pink and cream colored Pokemon. The pink on its fur gave it the image of a coat and hat. The cream of its fur was on its chin, belly and feet. It had large ears that had some sort of curlicue on it that almost seemed like an earring. "Audino." It also wore the traditional nurse's cap on its head.

"What's that Pokemon?" Gwen wondered.

"It's an Audino," Cilan answered from behind her. "Audino is Nurse Joy's assistant here at the Pokemon Center."

So it was the Unova version of Chansey and Blissey. Gwen pulled out her PokeDex, looking up Audino. Audino, the Hearing Pokemon. Audino can assess a Pokemon's overal physical condition and mood using its ears. Cool. It wasn't as adorable as a Chansey, but its docile eyes were endearing. Gwen pocketed her Pokeballs and Pikachu hopped onto her shoulder.

Just then the doors of the Pokemon Center swished open and a familiar voice called out for help.

"Iris, what's wrong?" Gwen might not have cared had it not been for the fearful urgency in the young girls' voice. Axew was in her arms, but asleep and...looking pink? Wait...was Axew glowing?

"Oh my, your Axew!" Nurse Joy exclaimed, taking a look at Axew as well. "What happened?"

"Axew started to glow as soon as this pink light hit him from the sky," Iris explained.

Gwen felt her brow knot. "Pink light?"

Iris nodded, turning her attention back outside. "Yeah. And whatever it is, there's a lot from outside."

The front doors swished open again and a young woman with long navy hair and dressed in a lab coat raced into the Pokemon center, a floating pink Pokemon at her side. Her attention went straight to Axew. She stopped right in front of Iris, then turned to the Pokemon next to her. "Munna, please wake up Axew. Quickly!"

The pink Pokemon nodded and hovered down over Axew. It opened its mouth and appeared to be sucking up some sort of pink fog that came from Axew.

Intrigued by the Pokemon, Gwen held up her PokeDex. Munna, the Dream Eater Pokemon. Munna can eat the dreams of people and Pokemon alike, and then project those dreams by emitting Dream Mist from its body.

Munna, finished with waking up Axew, puffed out a small cloud of the pink smoke - or mist as was probably proper - and it began forming a picture. It showed Axew playfully running through a grassy field. He seemed to be enjoying it very much. Gwen found herself smiling at it.

"What's that?" Iris asked.

"That's the dream Axew was having," the woman answered.

From her arms, Axew's eyes fluttered open and he shifted to look up at his Trainer. "Axew!"

In the dream cloud, Axew halted in his tracks and began to glow white. His form changed and became bigger. "It evolved!" Gwen exclaimed, recognizing that process.

"You're right," Iris said. "Axew evolves into Fraxure." And not before long, the process began again. "That's Haxorus," Iris explained. "Axew's final evolutionary form." The dream cloud then dissipated.

Iris looked down at Axew in her arms. "So you were having a dream about evolving," she cooed.

"Axew! Axew!"

The woman with the Munna spoke up. "Hello. I'm Dr. Fennel. I'm a scientist specializing in researching dreams and other mysterious powers, which all Pokemon possess."

"It's nice to meet you," Gwen said, holding out her hand. "My name's Gwen."

Dr. Fennel clasped her hand and shook it. "It's a pleasure, Gwen."

Cilan stepped up beside her. "If I may ask, Dr. Fennel, what is that mysterious pink light and how do you know about it?"

"I believe they came from Musharna's Dream Mist," Dr. Fennel answered, turned toward the door and making her way out. Gwen, Cilan, and Iris followed her.

"Who's Musharna?" Gwen asked.

"Musharna is the evolved form of Munna," Cilan told her.

The four exited the Pokemon Center to see a pink tint covering the city. More of the pink lights that must have touched Axew shone all throughout the city. Axew dove into Iris's hair, not wanting to be hit again.

"How do you know this came from Musharna?" Cilan asked the doctor.

"I returned to the city because Munna sensed something," Fennel answered. "Munna and Musharna were the closest of friends. We haven't seen Musharna in so long, but I have reason to believe she would still be here."

"Where?" Gwen asked.

But she didn't get an answer as a police car stopped in front of them. Officer Jenny strode out. She went straight for Gwen. "I must ask you to return your Pokemon to its Pokeball immediately."

"What? Why?" Gwen stammered.

"Pokemon are falling asleep all over the city after being exposed to a mysterious pink light," Jenny explained. "You must hurry."

"But..." Gwen started. "Pikachu doesn't like being in his Pokeball one bit. I only need one hand to count how many times I've actually used it."

Fennel stepped over to her. "If I may?" She took the beanie off Gwen's head and placed it on Pikachu's. "That should work for now." Gwen ran her hands over her hair, hoping it wasn't too tussled by her hat.

"So, will Munna be alright?" Cilan asked.

"Yes," Fennel answered, turning to Munna. "Munna and the lights are attracted to each other." She then turned to Officer Jenny. "Please, I need to go to the Dream Yard. I believe what we're looking for will be there."

Jenny nodded. "Of course."

The five of them loaded into the police car. Dr. Fennel in the passenger seat and Iris, Cilan, and Gwen in the back. Jenny drove through the streets with her window down, calling for people outside to get indoors with their Pokemon right away.

"What is the Dream Yard?" Gwen asked, leaning forward to glance at Dr. Fennel.

Cilan answered instead. "The Dream Yard is an abandoned sight located right outside of the city. Everybody was talking about a huge explosion that occured there a few years back."

Gwen gaped slightly at that. An explosion? Hopefully not too many were hurt.

"That's right," Fennel replied ruefully. "It's what's left of the Pokemon Energy Research Facility. A place to discover a way to utilize Musharna's Dream Mist. To turn it into a form of energy people could benefit from. I was one of the scientists on the project." She paused to gaze out to the sky for several moments before continuing. "Once our research was finalized, we would've created the ultimate clean energy. After all, its source would've been nothing but the dreams of people and Pokemon. But then..."

When she didn't continue, Gwen gently prodded her onward.

"People came trying to gain control of this energy," Fennel continued, her voice thick and the words spilling out. "And since their ambitions were, in a sense, dreams, Musharna absorbed their greedy dreams. They became so overwhelming that Musharna could no longer process them. It caused our computers to go haywire. When things went critical, everyone evacuated, myself and Munna included. We were tossed into vans and sped away just before the facility blew. Hours later, when we returned to assess the damage, the facility was in ruin and there was no sign of Musharna."

There was silence in the car as they all processed this information.

"What happened to the research?" Officer Jenny asked, breaking the silence.

Fennel sighed. "I gave up. With Musharna missing, I became fed up with it all and left the city. Munna and I returned now because Munna sensed something. And with the discovery of the pink lights, Musharna must be here. I know it!"

"What's that?" Jenny inquired, pointing a finger towards the outskirts of town where a pink light hued the surrounding trees. It did seem like the origin of the pink lights that drifted over the city. Jenny sped up the car and drove right into the destroyed facility.

Inside were three suspicious people in black coats and sunglasses surrounding a strange machine that seemed to be giving off some sort of signal.

"Alright, what are you three doing here?" Jenny ordered as she exited the car.

The three chuckled. "We're searching for any residual traces of dreams," one of them said.

"I think that machine is elevating the energy levels left here," Fennel breathed.

"Very good."

"Just exactly who are you?" Jenny demanded.

"Exacting questions are good indeed," came from the female one.

"The answer to come as we feel the need," the male continued. They threw off their trench coats to reveal themselves as Team Rocket.

"Not you guys again!" Iris groaned.

Bringing the white light of evil into the future,

And thrusting the hammer of justice on the black universe.

Carving our names in the rock of eternity!

The fiery destroyer, Jessie!

And with thunderous emotion, I'm James!

Wisest of the wise: I'm Meowth!

And now we gather under the name of Team Rocket!

"Team Rocket?" Jenny repeated. "What's a Kanto region-based organization doing in Unova?"

Jessie smirked. "Setting in motion our takeover of Unova, of course."

"The sleeping energy lingering here at the Dream Yard will be fully awakened at the hands of Team Rocket," James continued.

"And we won't let sleepwalkers stand in our way!" Meowth finished.

Fennel gasped. "I can't believe there are people who still want to take advantage of our dreams!"

"Dr. Fennel," Cilan spoke up. "Is it possible that Musharna was trying to warn you about all of this through Munna?"

Fennel turned to him, slight surprise in her eyes. "I hand't thought of that." From beside her, Munna nodded. Fennel turned to her. "Munna?"

The ground then began rumbling from beneath them, more bolts of light shooting up. Then a high-pith cry sounds through the air.

"I think that's Musharna's cry!" Dr. Fennel cried. "Musharna, where are you?!" The rest of them began calling out for Musharna.

A fold in midair began opening in a bright white light. Gwen had to cover her eyes at the blinding light. A pink and purple colored Pokemon appeared just as the fold disappeared. It's oval eyes flickered open. "Musharna."

"It's Musharna!" Fennel cried, tears in her eyes.

"Munna!" her Pokemon called from next to her. Both raced for Musharna. But they're stopped by a laser that came from Team Rocket's machine.

"Dr. Fennel!" Gwen cried. More lasers shot at her and one almost hit Munna. The doctor pulled her into her arms before that happened. The machine then created some sort of cage that encased Musharna.

Dr. Fennel looked pleadingly to Team Rocket. "Please, stop what you're doing! I beg of you!"

"Musharna is now a proud member of Team Rocket!" Jessie exclaimed.

"Oh no you don't!" Gwen snapped, pulling her beanie off Pikachu. "Pikachu, Volt Tackle!" Pikachu leapt off her shoulder and charged toward Team Rocket and their machine, electricity discharging from his body. The machine shot more lasers as Pikachu, but he easily dodged them.

Dr. Fennel took action too, ordering Munna to use Psychic. The machine crumpled under the force of the attack and Pikachu smashed into it, effectively destroying it. Musharna was released, as well as the residual dream energy.

"Now for Team Rocket!" Gwen called.

"I think not!" Jessie sneered. "Woobat, use Gust!" Woobat stirred up a Gust that blocked them from view. When it dissipated, Team Rocket was gone.

"They're gone!" Cilan exclaimed from behind her.

"They got away again!" Iris groaned.

Gwen turned back to them, not worried about Team Rocket anymore. "It's okay. Musharna and Dr. Fennel are back together. That's what counts."

Indeed, Fennel wrapped her arms around Musharna and laid her head on her temple. "Oh Musharna, I'm so sorry I didn't feel your presence for such a long time."

"Well, I believe this case is closed," Jenny exclaimed.

The next morning Cilan was surprised to see Gwen entering through the Gym doors. They'd all gone their separate ways after leaving the Dream Yard, he didn't expect to see her again. He thought she'd leave for the next city as soon as possible for her next badge. But he was far from disappointed to see her. In fact, he was hoping to see her before he left.

Ever since yesterday, Cilan knew he wanted to travel. In his battle against Gwen, he'd learned more than he ever had in all the battles he taken as a Gym Leader. It felt like a fresh new taste that he had to learn all about. He'd packed his bags last night and was going to tell his brothers sometime today. He wanted to leave first thing in the morning, though nerves had gotten the better of him and made him wait. But seeing Gwen walk through the doors made that all go away. Perhaps it was just meant to be. And she seemed happy to see him too as a wide grin spread on her lips as their eyes met.

"What are you doing here?" Cilan asked as he approached her.

"Well, a girl needs to eat breakfast," she replied with a smile. "And I can't help but wonder if you cook as well as you battle."

Cilan nodded with a smile, leading her over to the nearest table. She had no idea of his skills with food. He took her bags and set them down on the chair next to her. He then handed her a menu. "Shall I give you a moment to look through?" he asked.

She glanced at the menu only for a moment before looking him in the eye with a light smile. "Do you have any recommendations?" she asked softly, a twinkle in her eyes from behind her light colored glasses.

Cilan replied with a smile, knowing the perfect dish.

Twenty minutes later, Cilan returned to see Gwen finishing her plate. He'd suggested the pumpkin-spiced french toast with a small topping of pumpkin butter and a side of sauteed fruit with syrup made from Chilan Berries. Pikchu sat on the table next to her, picking away at Mago Berry biscuits. By the way Gwen scraped at the last bites on her plate, Cilan knew she enjoyed her meal.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" he asked.

She glanced up at him. "Now I understand why the girls adore you three," was her reply. "I'd eat here all them time if the meals were all as good as this."

Cilan chuckled. "I'm glad you liked it." He took a seat beside her. "I also wanted to ask you something."

Gwen blinked. "Oh yeah. We were interrupted yesterday."

Cilan nodded. "Yeah..." His hand went to the back of his neck. Why was he so nervous? Just say it! "I wanted to start a journey. I was wondering if you and I might travel together."

Her face fell slightly. "Oh..."

Cilan panicked a bit. "You don't have to-"

Gwen placed her hand over his. "No, no, I just...didn't expect that," she told him. "I've never had a traveling partner. A human traveling partner. May I ask...why?"

Cilan glanced down at her hand on his. "In all my years as a Gym Leader, I was always so sure about battling and the pairing of Trainer and Pokemon. You've made me see that there can be so much more than that. I want to explore and broaden my views as a Pokemon Connoisseur."

Gwen chuckled. "Yeah, you should have seen me and my Primeape. I'm surprised I survived that. That almost killed me...three separate times." Despite the daunting experience, she grinned. "I must warn you, trouble tends to follow me around at times." She then turned to Pikachu. "What do you think, buddy?" she asked her beloved partner. "Are you alright with another traveling companion?"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu nodded.

Cilan smiled. "That's it then." He rose to leave, but Gwen grabbed his wrist.

"Wait, I have one condition," she told him, turning a glance to her empty plate. "Four-star meals, as many as you can make?"

Cilan laughed. "Deal." But one thing. "Only four stars?"

"Four star, five star, one and a half star, it's all good food to me," Gwen said.

~~*.*~~

Chili and Cress gave Cilan their blessing as he said goodbye as well as best wishes for Gwen on her goal for the next seven Gym badges. Before noon, Gwen and Cilan headed out of the city.

"So, Nurse Joy told me that the next Gym is in Nacrene City," Gwen said.

Cilan nodded. "It's about two or three weeks' travel from here." He paused then. "Where's Iris?"

Gwen shrugged. "Dunno. We didn't share a room at the Pokemon Center last night. I haven't seen her since the Dream Yard, in fact."

"Boo!"

Gwen screamed and stumbled forward at the shout in her ear. She turned to see Iris hanging from the tree she and Cilan just passed. She uncurled her legs from the tree branch and landed on her feet. "Did I scare you?" she teased.

Gwen glared at her. "Nearly gave me a heart attack," she growled. Oh, this girl. "I have half a mind to kick you."

Cilan stepped between them. "How about the three of us travel together?" he suggested. Gwen and Iris stared past him and into each other's eyes. Both issued glares and something of a challenge. See how long they could last with a mediator now between them. Why not?

"Well, then," Gwen said. "Let's get going." She then raced down the sidewalk. "Keep up, Slowpokes!" she called behind her.