Introduction:

Hey everyone sorry about the wait but here it is chapter 7. A little update so since school is starting again and I am going back to work expect 1 to 2 chapters every week. No more one chapter a day, it was fun while it lasted but I still think aiming for one or two releases a week is still a solid schedule. Without further ado enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon in any way, this is just a fanfiction. Please support the creators by playing Pokemon Platinum Version wherever sold in your respective area.

AND. HERE. WE. GO.

Guide:

Bolded Italics: Speaking to Audience or Out of Time

Regular Italics: Thoughts

COF: Character(s) of Focus

Chapter 7: Eterna Forest

COF: Lucas Diamond

10 am Friday Morning

Lucas spent his last day in Floaroma Town and headed off to Eterna Forest. Monferno and Staravia walked alongside him as they enjoyed being outside of their balls a lot of the time. Bibarel and Luxio would rather stay inside them and save their energy for battles or other times when they are needed. Lucas felt that while in Eterna Forest he should do some training with his current team. While he still had two more slots open and he felt that he shouldn't slack on training and building bonds with his current team. Lucas already had solid bonds with everyone on the current team. He feels that was due to him always treating them with respect no matter how young or small they were. He never yelled or mistreated them, but when they would act up he never hesitated to put his foot down. Finally, his team reached Eterna Forest the final barrier before getting his second gym badge.

"Alright this is perfect for some training right," Lucas said while looking at Monferno then at Staravia.

They both nodded and rushed into the forest.

"HEY WAIT UP," Lucas said laughing and running after them.

Lucas released both Bibarel and Luxio to play the others. Monferno and Luxio always loved to wrestle with each other. Sometimes they would get too rough and Lucas would have to intervene but it was all in good fun. Staravia for some reason liked to sleep on top of Bibarel, probably because he was soft which was perfect as Bibarel was a big napper himself but when it was time to work Bibarel held his own. His evolution really helped him grow from someone that Lucas always had to be worried about to being able to take his fair share of hits and still put up a fight. Not long after Lucas spoke with his whole team. They all had areas to work on and that is what they were gonna do before they left the forest. Monferno needed to work on his accuracy and harnessing his fire. Staravia needed to work durability and be able to withstand attacks. Luxio needed to work on distributing his energy throughout a battle rather than using it all in one attack leaving him tired. Bibarel needed to learn how to be on Lucas' level when it came to intelligence and communication, while he didn't need to be a genius he wasn't very smart unfortunately but Lucas could work with him.

"Okay, Monferno, you are going to focus on long-range fire attacks. I need you to be able to hit a target from far away while using your fire. Can you do that for me?" Lucas asked. Monferno nodded and went to an area with some rocks.

"Good Luxio, you and Staravia are going to fight. Staravia you go down too easily I know it hurts but you gotta be able to get back up and Luxio you need more stamina you use all your energy in one attack, while very powerful you have to save some and use equally and efficiently," Lucas said to them.

Luxio and Staravia nodded and went off to an open area and began to spare. Lucas would check up on them later.

"That leaves us Bibarel, listen man you are crazy strong but no offense you aren't very bright I will be working with you personally. I need to help you get better at planning and communicating, can you do that for me, buddy," Lucas said.

Bibarel nodded and hugged Lucas with a smile. Bibarel wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but was always willing to stand by Lucas' said. Countless times trainers passed by him while he was a Bidoof and it made him sad and thought he would never have a friend. But then Lucas came by and gave him a chance and for that, he was eternally grateful. Bibarel showed the most affection towards Lucas.

"Alright alright," Lucas said laughing.

"Seriously though battles are going to get tougher and I need us to be on the same page," Lucas said.

Bibarel nodded and got into a serious mood waiting for instructions. Lucas started with getting into wild pokemon battles with Bibarel. The exercise was simple, Bibarel had to take Lucas' command which was a vague one, and try to figure out which attack was best. Bibarel had no problem with simple specific attack orders such as, use Water Gun, Lucas thought he needed to assess the situation at times and decide for himself which attack was best so he wasn't over-reliant on Lucas' instruction.

12 pm

"Bibarel, attack," Lucas said pointing at the wild Dustox.

Bibarel thought about it for a second and used Rollout throwing a rock at the bug and flying type.

"That's it, nice work," Lucas said happily, it took a couple of battles but Bibarel was starting to understand.

Lucas tossed a Pokeball and caught the Dustox, he was still working on his Pokedex and caught every new pokemon he found. He was proud of Bibarel and saw that he looked very tired. They did one more battle, one more real test.

"Bibarel, you know what to do," Lucas said.

Bibarel was on his own for this one against a wild Gastly, an opponent for which Bibarel had no type advantage move for. Bibarel used what he had learned from Lucas and rushed right at the Bibarel and received a harsh blow from the Gastl sending it back but far from fainting. Bibarel learned not to rush in so he used Water Gun and looked back at Lucas. Lucas said nothing, not giving him any hints. Bibarel dodged a couple more attacks and finished him off with a Rollout. He did it without any instruction. Bibarel won a fight.

"I knew you had it in you," Lucas said, petting Bibarel.

Bibarel hugged Lucas and returned to his Pokeball.

"Take a rest buddy you earned it," Lucas said with a smile as he walked over to Luxio and Staravia.

Staravia had physical bruises and Luxio was tired but he still had some energy. Staravia was quiet and reserved just like Lucas himself out of all of his team she was the smartest one. Luxio was like a dog but in a good way, always by Lucas's side and always willing to fight for him. Ever since he started following Lucas on Route 202. Luxio liked to fight first and think last which led him to use up all of his energy in one attack. Lucas watched as they fought and they have improved. Staravia kept getting back up and countered. Luxio kept using small energy electric attacks and was keeping up in a long stretched out fight. He let them go on for ten more minutes until he saw bruises and fatigue beginning to take over them.

"Okay Staravia, don't beat yourself up too much, take a break and Luxio rest up," Lucas told the two.

They made a ton of progress the last time he checked up on them Staravia was on top of a tree and Luxio was wasting energy trying to headbutt the tree down. It was the first time he saw a pokemon laughing. Lastly, there was Monferno, Monferno was always by Lucas's side, his trusty starter their bond was the biggest one but Monferno liked to cause trouble and that created some headaches for Lucas but he still loved him. One time he kept terrorizing a flock of Budews while Lucas was training Luxio. Lucas had made his way over to him and saw that he was trying to perfect Flame Wheel by using it on rocks at quite the distance harnessing both power and accuracy from a distance. It wasn't perfect but was significantly better.

"You're getting better, Mon, now try hitting that one over there," Lucas said while pointing to the rock that is the farthest away.

Monferno nodded and focused, he shot a flame wheel barely hitting the rock.

"Good much better than before but we have some work to do but overall good work you can take a rest, and no terrorizing pokemon or trainers," Lucas said laughing.

Monferno smirked back at him and went to go hang out with the others. To let everyone rest and get some cool fresh air he kept everyone out of their balls to relax with each other while he took inventory in his bag. He gave everyone a snack; Monferno got spicy chips, Staravia got sunflower seeds, Bibarel got some Pecha berries and dried banana chips, Lucas found it odd how much Bibarel liked fruit but it's good for him so no reason to judge, and finally Luxio wanted some beef jerky. While it was a little expensive Lucas thought it was necessary to reward his pokemon for a job well done as a morale booster and an incentive to work hard. Lucas himself sat down and enjoyed an iced tea and a sandwich he bought from Floarma Town. A trainer lifestyle isn't a luxurious one but he loved it.

They spent the next hour joking around and relaxing until Lucas heard a voice.

"HELP, HELP," The voice called out.

"Alright guy's playtimes over someone might need our help," Lucas said, returning Luxio and Bibarel to their balls.

"Mon, Star, come on they might be hurt," Lucas said running in the direction he heard the voice from.

Monferno kept up with him while Staravia flew up to try and find the source of the voice.

"YOU SEE ANYTHING?" Lucas called out.

Staravia nodded and led the way with Lucas and Monferno not far behind her. Thoughts raced through Lucas' mind as he ran he prayed he wasn't too late and that he could help this person before something bad happened. They reached an opening deep in the woods. To find a woman in a green calling out for help.

"Hey miss, are you okay," Lucas said as he scouted the area for trouble.

"Oh thank Arceus someone heard me, I thought I was all alone out here," The woman said, hugging Lucas.

"Help is here, what's wrong?" Lucas asked.

"I am horribly lost, my map is ruined and I can't get out," The woman said almost hysterically.

"Woah Woah calm down it's okay you aren't alone out here I can lead you out," Lucas said trying to calm her down.

"Really, oh thank you so much…." The woman said, not knowing his name.

"Lucas," Lucas finished.

"This is Monferno, say hi," Lucas said looking at Monferno.

Monferno looked at Cheryl and smiled at her.

"I'm Cheryl," Cheryl said while nodding her head.

"Nice to meet you, come on I can take you out of here," Lucas said with a polite smile.

"Such a gentleman," Cheryl said, keeping up.

"How did you get lost?" Lucas asked.

"Well I came out here to see some pokemon and got spun around and before I knew it I had no idea where I was. I tripped in a puddle and my map got ruined so I started to yell for help, what about you? What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I came here to train my pokemon also to get to Eterna City to get my second gym badge," Lucas said.

"Oh so you wanna take on the Pokemon League," Cheryl assumed.

Lucas had never thought of that before he was getting the badges but he never thought about what he would do if you ever got them all. He didn't even know who the champion was. As the ultimate challenge, the champion and the pokemon he or she has are unknown by the public so you can't practice making it more of a challenge. He knew the elite four Aaron, Flint, Bertha, and Lucian but couldn't even imagine beating them.

"I don't know about that but one step at a time," Lucas laughed.

Lucas lead Cheryl thought the forest was a peaceful scene with light shining through the trees above them and with the sound of pokemon. Lucas had never seen anything like it; he almost didn't want to leave. After being approached by some trainers Cheryl offered to help Lucas. It was like the triple battle he had in Jubilife with Barry and Dawn. Cheryl offered more support with her Chansey and Monferno went on the offensive. It took some getting used too but overall Lucas appreciated the help.

4 pm

"What's that?" Lucas said pointing to an old house.

"Oh that's the old Chateau it hasn't been lived in for over 80 years," Cheryl commented.

"Wow, any pokemon in there?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know but it serves as one of those ghost tales, oh my the exit," Cheryl said with a smile.

"Heh only took us a couple of hours, man there are so many more trainers than I thought," Lucas said, taking off his cap.

"You have nice hair, why do you wear that cap?" Cheryl asked.

"Oh this, it was my father's he passed away a while ago and I always wore it," Lucas said looking at it.

"I am so sorry," Cheryl said.

"It's okay he was a good man from what my mom said. I hope he's in a better place now," Lucas said with a small smile.

"Well the good man feature surely got passed down to you, I never would have gotten out of here without you, thank you, Lucas," Cheryl said with a smile.

"My pleasure so this way takes me to Eterna City right?" Lucas asked.

"Yes it does I live in Eterna City so if you need a place to stay here is my address," Cheryl said and gave Lucas a piece of paper with the address on it.

"Wow, thank you very much," Lucas said.

Monferno nodded as a way of saying thank you himself.

"Until we meet again Lucas," Cheryl said waving and leaving.

"Nice lady," Lucas said looking at Monferno as he smirked.

"Oh stop it, I do not like her," Lucas said.

Monferno nodded sarcastically.

"Whatever," Lucas rolled his eyes and laughed.

Lucas started to walk out of the forest but not before looking at the old Chateau. He felt drawn to it for some reason. He would go into it but small trees were blocking the way and he couldn't get through. He would come back to it but for now, it was time for him to enter Eterna City for the very first time.

Outro:

And with that chapter 7 is history. I hope you all enjoyed it, this is one of the best projects of my life. I am so glad people are enjoying this and I will continue to write more. Thank you guys so much for reading and I hope I can keep yall's attention. Like always feel free to leave a review telling me what you liked, disliked, suggestions, etc. Feel free to pm with any questions or if you wanna tell me that raspberries have written a better story than me, I'll take them all, I'll try to get back to you asap. I hope you guys enjoyed it and I will see you in the next chapter!

-Shocker

Question of the Chapter: What is your favorite Pokemon game?

For me, it's a tie between Platinum and Soulsilver; they are both so great with amazing post games and so much content!

Lucas' Current Team: 4/6

-Monferno: Ember, Mach Punch, Flame Wheel, Leer

-Luxio: Spark, Charge, Tackle, Bite

-Bibarel: Water Gun, Headbutt, Rock Smash, Yawn

-Staravia: Wing Attack, Aerial Ace, Quick Attack, Tackle