Even after my mother's story, life on the Pokemon ranch continued as normal. My siblings and I enjoyed the flower fields and surprised the Miltank by coming quietly up behind them and barking. One day we did this, and after Ampharos drove us off, my sister Soleil proposed a game around the pond and waited for any Feebas to pop out and splash us, whoever got splashed first had to help clean the whole barn. We never liked that chore, so we were always determined to.

We concentrated deeply for any sign of Feebas appearing out of the water, nearly nodding off to sleep.

"Stay awake, Luna!"

Surprised, I jumped up and splashed into the pond, making me the loser of the game.

"Geez Finn, don't ever do that!" I yelled to the familiar Phanpy who sat near the edge of the pond.

"I'm sorry Luna, I only wanted to help."

Still soaking wet, I softened when I saw him blush.

Like my mother, Finn was adopted into the family as a Pokemon egg that hatched near the same time our mother Crystal came to the farm. He was like another sibling to us, he took great care and made sure we wouldn't get hurt. He took especially good care of me, as I was the youngest. We were close to each other, but sometimes he treated me like a glass figure, watching out for puddles and encouraging me in loud ways. Still, he had good intentions and was always ready to help us out whenever possible.

"It's okay Finn, but now I have to clean the barn."

"I can't let you do it like that."

"Finn, I'm capable of doing this, I'm not a baby."

"No, I mean, not with you looking like a Lotad."

I looked up and saw a lily pad resting on the top of my head. I quickly took it off while my siblings tried to hide their laughter. I smiled at them.

"It's okay, I looked pretty silly, tell mom I'll be a little late for supper because I'll be cleaning the barn."

"Okay!" They all cheered and hurried off.

"I'll help too, since it was my fault." Finn said.

"Okay, be my guest." I pouted, but was secretly happy that I wouldn't have to work alone.

. . .

Finn and I started by helping the farmer clean out the Rapidash and Ponyta stables, resisting every urge to smell them. We then filled their troughs with fresh food and clean water. We milked the Miltank (after apologizing for startling them) and prepared the milk for pasteurization. We then checked the Murkrow weather vane and barometer for any disruptive winds.

These might seem like relatively mundane and easy farm chores, but it was a large area, so it took three hours to complete these tasks. Still, we were used to ranch life chores and enjoyed it for the most part.

Finally we finished after five hours; too tired to move, Finn and I rested nearby the barn's front door. It was about ten minutes before the door was thrown open again. The ranch owners' daughter Celia ran inside, huddled in an empty stall, and softly cried.

She slapped her face and sat up when she heard male owner came back with several Ponyta and began to sweep the floor.

"Hi honey," The owner said, "How was school?"

"It was fine daddy." Celia lied.

"Did you make any new friends? I know starting middle school can be a challenge."

"Don't worry dad." Celia said, sweeping faster.

"Say, do you know what that smell is?"

"Me, I stink." Celia dropped the broom and looked down at her boots.

"What?"

"That's what my classmates said, I stink!" With that, she ran out of the barn.

"Celia!" Her father called out, but she was already by the house.

I nudged Finn and said, "Come on, Celia's feeling bad, there must be something we can do to help."

"Okay," Finn said, "Just let my hind legs wake up."

. . .

Going into the house, we heard Celia crying while her parents consoled her.

"They kept saying I stank like an ugly farm girl." Celia cried, "They called me Celechonk all because I work on a farm."

"The nerve of those kids!" The other ranch owner said. "We'll talk to their parents and the teacher!"

"It's not your fault Celia, it's just the smell from working on the farm. Maybe if you'd cut back a little on the chores…"

"No dad, I don't want that," Celia said, "I love working on the ranch and with its Pokemon. I'll get over the teasing, I won't let them make fun of our way of life."

"Oh Celia, we love you!" The ranch owners said. "And we'll make sure those kids won't bother you like that."

Finn and I jumped up onto Celia's lap, sniffed her, and smiled.

Celia laughed, "You two don't think I stink do you?"

We shook our heads and nuzzled her.

"I love you too!" She smiled as she hugged us.

. . .

The next afternoon Celia came home happier. The ranch owners came to school to give a demonstration, and all of the bullies Pokemon were beaten by the ranch's Miltank and Ampharos. The bullies didn't get away either, as they were reprimanded by the parents and teachers for their behavior.

Finn and I were waiting at the door when she came home.

"I'm home! Guess what, I made you two a present in arts and craft class today!"

She unzipped her backpack and pulled out two collars, one pearl and one blue, both with a soothe bell attached.

"They're friendship collars I made as a thank you! The pearl one's for you, Luna, and the blue one's for you, Finn. I hope you like them!"

We both jingled our bells happily together.

"I love you both! Thank you so much! When I get to go on my journey, I'll get stronger with you two as my partners! How does that sound?"

Happy enough to burst, we tackled Celia to the ground.