The creature hovers above the water, eyes beaming, gaze piercing. Words fail the poor trainer.

"You seem confused, are you unable to recall your name?" The voice echoes, still with no immediate discernable source.

"Oh, no uh. Clyde?" He asks, as if questioning his own knowledge.

"You are unsure of yourself?"

The question is an understatement. "Guess I've never been in this position before."

"That is an understatement. You are experiencing a whole world of new situations."

A simple statement of fact. "Kind of, yeah."

"There is something else at play though, is there not?"

A flash of memories. Life before this intermingling with the new experiences here. A competition between old and new. The unbridled feelings of joy against the dull monotony and looming depression. "There's so much." The past ever growing. Regrets abound. Is there even a correct answer?

"We see. We do not typically involve myself in such affairs, but you are unusual. We wish for you to answer a question. What do you hope to gain while here?"

'Here?' Innocuous. "Well. I wanted to fish, see what all lives in the lake, maybe grab the others some food."

"A positive start, but not what we intended. What do you hope to gain while here, in Sinnoh?"

'Oh.' An equally simple question. What does one do when they go on vacation? When they travel for work? Visit family? An ocean of answers, yet anything of substance evades thought. There is nothing that can be dredged from the depths of the psyche.

Mesprit continues. "You see, this is what I believe to be your problem. You have nothing to which you strive towards. You are here, you engage with your companions, helping if you can, but when left to your own devices, there is little you do. There is much potential in you and that potential remains unrecognized."

"Hey, I've been fishing and recording details on the fish I fish!" The detailed notes floating within his Pokédex are numerous. Magikarp is well documented.

"A positive step forward, yet you need to live for more. Those you have spoken with have given you paths forward. Whether you recognize it or not remains to be seen."

'Live for more?' The idea is silly. To live is to exist. How would one live for more when living is enough? "But how?" The questions linger. How can one live more?

"That, Clyde, is a question only you can answer. You are a man of the water. I am confident you can discover an answer in short order."

"What are you, my therapist?"

A light chuckle resonates. "Fortunately, no. We merely share some concern. May you find your purpose, and may that purpose resolve your looming inner turmoil. You will need to make a decision one day, it is my hope you will be in a position to make a confident choice you do not regret. You may only do that if you live for more."

Clyde offers a simple nod in his silence.

"Before we depart, there is an alien metal on your person, do keep that to yourself. There are individuals who would like to acquire it. Should you find yourself in, we believe you would call it Eterna, if you could return it to its owner they will no doubt be most appreciative."

The bell.

They know of the bell.

My only way home.

"With that said, we make our leave. You are doing well but there is always room to grow." Giving a flourish, they rise into the sky before diving into the depths, the splash nearly soaking the trainer before the water grows calm once more.

Oshawott, having been frozen in their stone kingdom, quietly dives into the water.

"Live for more." The words are light, easy. Yet carry so much depth and meaning. "Well. I'm in a forest in a new world. Might as well learn more while I can. Wondered about the lake here. How does it actually work? How does the food chain function?" The prompt, while simple back home is distinctly more difficult to answer here. "That'll be what I do, I suppose. Research the bodies of water. Maybe I'll learn more about Oshy. Heck it. Spooky psychic Pokémon is telling me to find a life purpose. This'll be it until I leave or find a better one. Who knows, maybe I'll even do a Pokémon anime arc and become the best water type trainer in the region. Wouldn't that be rich."

The trainer gazes towards Oshawoot and they exchange a knowing look. "Well, no turning back now. Though I guess I'm kind of past that point anyways." He sighs. "Once more unto the beach."


Heading back towards camp with a brief new-found determination, Clyde carries his bounty of fish accompanied by Oshy. Following the beach, she swim confidently by her trainer's figurative side along the water's edge. The pair retrace their steps from hours earlier, delighting in the fading light of day as dusk takes hold. The soft sounds of waves lapping against the sand giving a comforting reassurance against the unknowns of the past and future.

His companions are heard long before they're seen as their rambunctious laughter and excited discussion gives away their position. Likewise, the light from a fire dances and flickers through the brush, giving a scattered mosaic of light that only faintly pierces the lush greenery.

Oshawott, gallant as ever, charges out of the water and stays by her master's side, watching vigilantly against the looming flame. Side by side, the pair press forward, facing the future not as individuals, but together. They walk as one into the light of camp.

Lucas, bathed in firelight spots the two first and waves them over enthusiastically. "Clyde! You'll never believe what we found!" Sitting in a small pile on a blanket lies a substantial quantity of berries.

Piplup is lying on the ground while Pachirisu combs their feathers searching for any small insects. Turtwig sits upon the ground eyes closed and enjoying the light. Whether or not they are asleep is impossible to discern.

"I'm going to guess you found some berries." He responds, carrying a couple of fish forward towards the fire and camp. "I got us some fish, too."

"I absolutely did find some berries! And mushrooms! And also woah! Pass those over, I'll have them cookin' in no time! Between that and my forage, we'll have a grandiose feast!" Rummaging through his backpack, Lucas produces a small bundle of kitchen utensils. "Saves us having to cut into our rations too, good catch! Literally!"

Nonchalantly shrugging, he passes over the fish. "It's nothing, wanted to see what all was in the water, figured I'd set aside a couple."

"Find anything interesting?" Dawn inquires as she tosses a candy towards Piplup.

Clyde sighs, running through the previous hour of his life. "Aside from a newfound purpose in life, a legendary psychic- mythical? I think it's mythical. A mythical psychic Pokémon-"

Lucas begins coughing aggressively, stealing the attention from his companion trainer. A few moments of desperate gasping later, he croaks "You found them?!"

"I guess? Maybe? Depends on the it we're talking about." Taking a seat on a newly placed log by the fire, his gaze flickers between the small roaring flame and his new-found friends.

"The spooky ghost voice, you mentioned. It was the Lake Spirit, wasn't it?" Dawn asks, her eyes glowing in the firelight with an unflinching gaze.

"Spooky ghost voice?!" Lucas nearly shouts. "What have you two been doing?! I was gone for like, twenty minutes!"

"Clyde was by the lake, heard a voice talk to them a few hours back that asked them to come back at dusk. We thought it was a ghost type, figured adventure was worth the risk of being haunted, and turns out he found it."

"That greatly underrepresents my reluctance, but in short, sure."

"What did it look like? Was it big? Powerful? Did it have a terrifying voice?" Lucas hardly has time to breathe between his questions.

Taking a moment to compose himself, Clyde sets about answering the plethora of questions Lucas has. No doubt desperate for any information surrounding the being his and Barry had been chasing for so long.

Several dozen questions and recalling minute details to the best of his ability, Dawn asks what the pair discussed in their brief interaction. Doing his best to explain the complexity and depth to the meaning of their conversation, he conveys the general idea that they helped him realize what he wants to do moving forward. "I'm going to become the best water trainer and researcher there is. Mostly researching, but for Oshy's sake, trainer. Starting tomorrow, and partially today but tomorrow, no more half-assing life. I have a chance, and I'm taking it."

"That's right! And I'm going to become the best trainer there is!" Lucas yells in agreement as a beaming smile radiates from him.

Dawn too shares a smile. "I'm happy to see you confident! What's your first move then? Catching something new? Indexing local fauna and flora?"

"Catching whatever the heck that loach-type thing is in the lake. I love clown loaches and this is the next best thing. Plus it'll give me something to look into towards figuring out the food chain of the lake." Producing his Pokédex, he reviews the information he entered prior. "Also, I can fill this out a bit more. It's like, a win win win."

"Suppose that settles it. I'll catch a Bidoof tomorrow as well and we can share notes on what we discover." As she speaks, Pachirisu takes their place in her lap. Spinning in place a few times, she snuggles into Dawn.

"And maybe I'll catch a Starly!" Lucas exclaims. "I had to fight off a huge Staraptor to get these berries! Fearsome bird. Having one would be great! Fast, powerful, claws of steel, nothing could stand in my way with one of them by my side!"

"Why don't you just catch that Staraptor, hm?" Dawn inquires with a smooth near smugness as she pries her friend for more information as if knowing the answer before asking anything.

"Oh, well uh, you know how they are. Fast, powerful… You know. Claws of steel. A simple Pokéball can't contain one. Nono, I'd need an Ultraball at least. I think I'll catch a Starly instead."

"Mhhhmmmm." She muses, the sound of doubt oozing from her drawn out reply. "Well, sounds like we've all got a long day tomorrow. Which, speaking of, aye chef, where's the food at?"

Cheeks quickly flushing red, he sets back to work preparing a grandiose feast of fish, fruit, and fungi.

It isn't before long that he has a meal cooking over the fire. Using some spices he brought along with the foraged goodies he stumbled upon in his excursion through the wilderness, a tasty and filling meal is fashioned together much to the excitement of not only the three trainers, but their Pokémon as well.

While they wait for their food, the three exchange ghost stories. A tale of a Pikachu that wasn't a Pikachu at all, another of a Ditto who replaced their trainer, and one of a Sylveon who lost their family but found a new one. Lucas didn't quite understand the assignment, but tried their best.

Their Pokémon, each terrified at the tales, cower either in the arms of their trainer, behind their trainer, or in their respective tents. Aside from Pachirisu who continues to sleep soundly cradled in Dawn's arms.

Once thoroughly spooked, food is declared to be ready, and the party partakes in fishy delights.

Eventually, the night winds down and the fire is reduced to a dull smolder. Exhausted from the days events and eager to get a fresh start tomorrow, Dawn retreats to her tent, careful to not disturb Risu as she carries them to bed. Lucas likewise begins to pack up, cleaning the equipment used for the nights meal as best as one can lacking soap and water.

Clyde simply sits, his position shifted to sitting on the ground with his back resting against the log that served as his seat. Queen Oshawott has gathered a second impressive collection of rocks, many of which lack the lustre that the quartz from the previous castle held. This castle has the beginnings of a moat.

"I still can't believe you found them. Less than a week here and you found them when years of searching with Barry failed. The luck you have."

Clyde is silent for a moment, contemplating his words carefully. "I don't think it was random chance. I think it's because I'm new here they found me." A believable half truth.

"Still. All the stories tell of the advice they give to be personal and tailored. I know you shared some, but it's never the whole story. At least, that's what the others would always say."

"Oh, huh." He ponders what sort of advice other people would have received from the mythical Pokémon.

"You're just lucky. I'm going to have to hangout at the lake tomorrow. Maybe I'll get some of your residual luck." With a huff, he stands. "Alright! That's the plan, then. I need to go to the lake tomorrow to get some time in so that I can try and find them. If they talked to you, maybe they'll talk to me! Which means the sooner I sleep, the sooner I can get it. Hope you enjoyed food, and also that you take whatever was told to you to heart." Giving a small wave and bidding them goodnight, he disappears into the depths of his tent. Clyde sits by the fire a while longer, getting lost in the flickering flames and remnants of heat.

'A positive step forward, yet you need to live for more.'

"Well. Time to turn dreams into reality." The fire, with the help of Oshawott, is extinguished as the trainer climbs into bed. Oshy opts to sleep with him, the smell of smoke overwhelming any remnants of lake water.

Settling into bed, filled with determination, he remembers the exchange from earlier. The only adequate reply he can think of is "I will be the very best and I will not squander this."


"Clyyyyyyydeee" Flick flick flick flick flick. "Wakey wakey, I have a Bidoof to catch and I need companyyy." Dawn's singsong voice broken by the flicking against his tent a simultaneously comforting as it's a friend and a frustrating way to awaken due to a lack of sleep.

Groaning as he rolls over in his sleeping back, he pries his eyes open a moment. Darkness still permeates. "What time is it?" He mutters, briefly reconsidering his previous nights commitments.

"Time to get up and walk with me, silly! Now come on. I'd like to get there before sunrise."

"You are a cruel slave driver." He sighs as he begins to extract himself from the sleeping bag.

"Complain while we walk." She flicks the tent a few more times.

"I know my rights."

"You have the right to accompany me! Now lezgo. I have coffee."

He releases a slow sigh. "Okay I take it back I love you and your ambrosial tincture."

Clothing himself in the previous days outfit, he exits the tent and enters the world once more. Standing right outside, vaguely illuminated by remnants of moonlight stands Dawn. She extends a thermos to him.

Gratefully accepting it, he wastes little time opening it, pouring a small cup, and sipping it.

It's cold.

"It's cold."

"Didn't specify it was hot coffee! Now drink up. We've got to get walking."

"You have betrayed my trust and everything I hold dear."

"I'll make it up to you. I know how to catch that Pokémon you're after."

"You keep toying with my emotions. Love hate love hate. When will it stop?"

"When I catch my Bidoof. Let's go, time is money."

"Ugh."

Reluctantly, he drinks the frigid coffee, letting a shiver run through his body as he swallows the bitterness. Returning the thermos to Dawn and Oshawott to her Pokéball, he gives her companion a nod.

"Onward!" She quietly shouts and the pair set off.

The journey is much slower going the second time, lacking the clear light of day by which to navigate, walk, and not trip over everything single thing that exists along the forest floor. Following several close calls, the pair make it to the lodge, dawn looming just over the horizon. Not a hint of movement can be perceived from the water and construction as the beavers and plump mice Pokémon.

Finding a relatively private area of underbrush, the pair make themselves comfortable as they await for the sleeping rodents to awaken and begin their day.

The quiet of the wild is pervasive as not a single sign of life is evident. Neither the water, the trees, nor the skies indicate any Pokémon are around. Perfect silence.

"Anything you're looking for in a Bidoof?"

"Not really, friendly and willing to go on an adventure."

"Hopefully one will volunteer themselves."

"Soon, soon. How about you? Have a preference in fish? Aren't they all the same? Little biological programs that eat and swim and eat and swim."

"Well ideally one that can swim and go blub, but also that's a misconception. Fish have personalities just as well as most living things. Just because their brain is small doesn't mean they have any less preference for things. This gets more evident the larger you go and can be distinctly visible in cetaceans. Granted, they're not exactly fish but that's a taxonomy problem. Now, reptiles? Little heartless bastards. Cold, cruel, and calculating."

"Are you saying Turtwig is heartless?! I perish the thought."

"That I am. His cold, dead eyes. Never once acknowledging emotion."

"He acknowledges food, though."

"Same. Should have eaten before leaving."

"We have something to look forward to, then. We'll have to get Lucas to fry us up something fancy. Lucky he's good at cooking!"

"No doubt. Little things. I'll have to catch us some more for tonight."

"I'll keep you company then. Piplup would appreciate open water, anyways."

"It's a figurative date."

The pair lay comfortably enjoying the tranquility the distance from civilization offers and watching as the deep shades of blue gradually fade into lighter colours. The growing light of day from the rising sun takes hold.

While the sky grows illuminated thanks to the sun lazily floating above the horizon, the tranquility of the forest is gradually replaced by a low hum of insects and the occasional tweeting of birds. The realization of a lack of crickets becomes apparent; An absence that, while not immediately perceived, is foreign upon revision.

"Hey, where are all the bugs? Haven't noticed many yesterday."

She looks quizzically. "Bug types? Probably avoiding us. Wouldn't blame them."

'Curious.' "Follow up, how many types are there? It was eerily quiet last night and this morning."

"Couldn't tell you, twenty? Maybe thirty?"

"That's a real small number. Normally there's a lot more bugs in an ecosystem than there are otherwise."

"Pretty sure most things are evenly distributed. It gets complicated when things are re-classified, like with the whole fairy type debates but otherwise, mostly consistent. Think ice is the smallest which, given the lack of cold, tracks."

"One would expect that foundational species would greatly outnumber higher level consumers. Interesting."

"Why would you think that?" Her gaze shifts from the river to Clyde, taking note of the little details of his face. His furrowed brow an easy indicator of his in-depth thoughts.

"In short, for bodies of water, you have a few core producers and a wide variety of primary consumers. Generally, all your herbivorous small creatures are your primary consumers. Then as you move up, you get less and less consumers but larger sized ones. As far as I know, it's a similar case on here only your producers are varying. Whereas before its algae and diatoms as a core foundation, here its grass and trees and maybe kelp or sea grass."

"To be fair size varies a lot. Most Pokémon usually start small and grow a lot bigger. Magikarp are a great example of that. You'll have anywhere from a pinkie size up to a large boulder depending on their age. I swear they just do not stop growing."

"Indeterminate growers are a thing. Not all that common overall, but they are a thing. Don't believe Goldfish are, I think that's just a common misconception based on water quality."

"Huh. Learn something new every day. I wonder if Magikarp evolve into Gyarados once they get big enough."

"More things to look into."

The conversation quiets as some movement breaks the serenity of the water. A large brown form emerges from the depths, breaking the sheen of the river. Not long after, several smaller Pokémon emerge and begin to slowly swim towards the riverbank.

"How do you want to do this?" Clyde whispers in hushed tones, not willing to recreate yesterday's mistake.

"I guess I'll just walk out there and hope they're receptive. Unless you have a better idea, at least."

"Not really. The alternative is we take on potentially an entire lodge of angry beavers which, no thank you."

"Absolutely. Well, here goes nothing. Hopefully the Bibarel doesn't panic." She tales a deep breath as she pushes herself up from her lying position. Stepping forward out of the trees onto the bank, hands free, she watches the water for the Bidoofs in question.

Almost immediately, the Bibarel's gaze narrows upon her and it turns. It does not, however, act and the Bidoofs continue to swim. Dawn gives a small wave to the large beaver which maintains a steely gaze.

Over the next thirty seconds, the Bidoofs swim their way to shore. Five total make landfall with three approaching the aspiring trainer; The others leaving in presumed disinterest. Dawn focuses upon the three plump mice approaching her and slowly kneels. She shakily extends her hand towards them, whereupon they each approach and sniff, one of them licking it and eliciting a content giggle. With the attempted reassurance of the Pokémon before her, she produces a Pokéball and shows it to them.

One, eyes wide with terror, flees the display of plastic. The other two remain steadfast, seemingly intrigued by the device. Standing strong and holding the ball high, she tosses it towards one of two remaining Bidoofs. They disappear in a flash while the other watches, head tilted. The ball shakes once. Twice.

An explosion of light as the Bidoof returns, shattered fragments of the Pokéball scattering. They turn heel and run screeching much to the anger of the local Bibarel who let's slip a dull chittering roar. Cringing at the display yet hopeful with the one remaining Bidoof. She produces a second ball and gently tosses it towards the last Bidoof. It disappears in a flash of light. The ball shakes once more. Once. Twice. Three times. Beep.

Success as the Bidoof is captured. The forest is quiet once again.

Bending over to grab the ball, she clicks the primary button and drops it as it releases the contained rodent. It looks around in a daze before lingering its gaze upon its new trainer. They give a happy squeak.

"Well, that went well." She looks to the lake and waves. The mildly disgruntled Bibarel huffs loud enough to be heard from the shore and turns away. "Go us! Bidoof get." Turning back to her companion. "Alrighty, we got me a Bidoof. I'll have to spend some time getting familiar with them and the like, but things are looking up! Now, let's get you a fish!"

Crawling out of the brush and beginning the trek back, Dawn takes great interest in her newly acquired friend. Half the walk is spent theorizing its behaviors as they walk while the other she carries them since their pace slowed, clearly unused to long walks.

The journey back brings the newly formed trio to camp where a groggy Lucas attempts to reignite the fire of the past night. Taking a brief moment to recount him with the recent early morning exploits and the betrayal of trust that was the empty promises of coffee, the party sit and delight in the presence of the plump mouse Pokémon. He in turn recounts his harrowing attempts of getting a fish for breakfast and the resounding failures. A man in water does not a fisher make.

Unwilling to let the group go hungry or dip into their rations, Clyde sets to acquire another fish and maybe catch a Pokémon. Dawn accompanies him as fulfillment of her end of the bargain.

The return to the lake is swift as the pair, enthusiastic by the catching of a proto-beaver and hopeful for the catching of a particular fish.

Upon arriving, the pair swing south once more. The rock Clyde fished and had his previous meeting upon stands strong, ever present, and unmoving. Both he and Dawn climb it, the latter retrieving her Bidoof before beginning the scaling of the rock face unwilling to let their mouse endure the uphill struggle. Oshawott is instead released and quickly makes their escape into the water returning to their fallen kingdom. Immediately she sets to work and begins the reconstructing.

Dawn shares the little bit of knowledge she was able to find on his desired Pokémon. "You mentioned a loach, really close since it's known as Barbroach." They can be found in this lake and like most loaches are bottom dwellers. Little else of note is known which Clyde's cue to correct that. "Guess that means you're going to be going for a swim later."

Clyde briefly forgot the lack of his swimsuit. "Yeah, shame I didn't bring a swimsuit. Didn't think to, so much else to get." Hopefully it wouldn't be that big a problem. It wasn't earlier at least.

"Well you can always borrow Lucas'. He should have his."

"Maybe. First, food. Can worry about whether or not I have to go skinny dipping later." A brief shiver runs through him at the thought. 'Never get used to doing it.'

It's not long before the first fish is caught. Another Magikarp of no distinction. They're set to the side as the line is cast once again. A second, this one small. They are given to Oshy. The third is above average in size though otherwise unremarkable. "Doubt we have enough salt to preserve the fish, eh? Wouldn't be bad to add to our rations. Plus, it's good fish. Fresh is always tastiest."

With two fish in hand, they depart. Dawn takes them and returns to the camp to hand them off to Lucas in breakfast preparation. Clyde opts to stay by the waterfront to plan out his search for the elusive Barbroach.

"Bidoof was easy enough. Stay dry and the Pokémon comes to you. Fish, or at least this fish, is less so. What to do?" The words linger as the water shines a brilliant blue. "Whatever the plan, I will discover your secrets. Hopefully he'll be able to like, exist out of water. That'll be awkward if not."

A new day shines. With it and the inspiration from before, there is hope abound. "Now to convert that hope into a caught Pokémon."