Molly, Delphox, and Serena follow the passage.

"Diglett~"A distant whisper of a Pokemon

"Diglett~"

Shimmering eyes would be seen inside of holes but quickly vanish. Molly huddles behind Serena.

"Are you scared, Molly?" said Serena

"Just a little,"

"I will be right here,"

"Uh-huh"

Several minutes have passed. The endless cave route goes on and on. The hooked electric lanterns guided the girls in one direction. The soft whisper of Diglett's echo and the sound of constant digging in the ground made the girls feel uneasy. Unexpected events played in their minds as they thought of a strong Pokemon jumping in front of them. What would they do? Turn back or go forth?

"Are you feeling tired, Molly?" asked Serena

"Not the slightest," replied Molly

"I wonder how much longer until we reach the end of the tunnel,"

"Well, it's pretty far since we are going to pass through a lot of areas to reach Pallet Town,"

In the distance, they saw a soft red glow and heard the crackling of the woods.

"A fire pit," said Serena,

"Where?"

"Over there,"

The two girls felt nervous as they approached the firepit. No one was in sight. In the dimly lighted tunnel was a pile of chopped firewood, leftover kitchen tools, and stakes in the ground. Obviously, someone or a group of people had made a camp here.

"Kind of them to leave some stuff behind for other travelers," said Serena

"Is it safe to stay?" asked Molly

"I'm sure they are not coming back and if anything does happen I will deal with them,"

Molly smiled and replied, "Me too, and our Pokemons,"

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry,"

At that moment, Molly's stomach growls, "Me too,"

Serena unzipped her suitcase and searched for snacks. Molly sat on the dirt and watched Serena. Delphox grabbed two pieces of logs, put them in the fire pit, and ignited them with a flamethrower.

"There," Serena said with two water bottles in her hands, "With these, I'm going to clean the pot so we can eat a cup of noodles,"

Molly clapped her hand with sparkling eyes and said, "Really?! I would love to eat it,"

"I will be right back," said Serena walking away from them, cleaning the pot with the water bottles, and returning to them. Afterward, she grabbed two more water bottles from her suitcase and poured drinking water into the pot.

"Molly, may you bring the long stick to me?"

"Um," said Molly, scanning the surroundings, "Where?"

"Next to Delphox,"

"Oh!" said Molly, picking up the long stick and handing it to Serena.

"Thank you," Serena pushes the long stick through the pot square shape holder until the pot is positioned in the middle. The two girls stand on either side of the stick to hold it over the fire. The calm water forms torrent bubbles with steam of water gas released into the air. Serena motioned Molly to mimic her sidestepping from the open fire. The two girls gently put down the pot, and then Serena grabs a plastic water cup to scoop into the pot for water. She pours water into the two cups of ramen after she covers them with plastic cups.

Molly sat close to Serena and asked, "How long have you been away from home?"

"Let's see," said Serena beginning to count her fingers, "That isn't right," then Serena dug through her bag. She pulls out a red planner, flips the pages, and stops. A big circle date of her departure from a specific month. Molly peeks at the red planner.

"It's been a while," said Molly.

Serena hugs the planner close to her chest and replies, "It's been ten months since I left home. What about you?"

"Hhhmmm, maybe a month or two,"

"Why did you become a Pokemon Trainer?"

"Because I want to feel alive," said Molly, hugging her knees towards her chest, "Since I became a Pokemon Trainer, I have been able to be on my own. I learn a lot about myself these past few weeks, like when I am battling Trainers I feel a fire in my heart," said Molly

"A burning passion, huh,"

"Yup,"

"What about you, Serena?"

"I want to become the world champion beauty contestant," said Serena with a fist pump, "and a Pokemon Trainer,"

"I didn't know there was a beauty contest,"

"The Pokemon Beauty Contest varies per region. Also, the medals are beautiful,"

"Mhm, what else?"

"You can register as many Pokemon you like or pick your favorite Pokemon to go on the stage to perform to win a title,"

"How many titles have you won?"

"Uh- Zero," Serena sigh

"Oh,"

"BUT! I did make it to the Master class tournament and won my three princess keys,"

"So, did you win?"

Serena sighed heavily and said, "Nope,"

"Since there is no Pokemon Beauty contest in Kanto. What brings you out here?"

"I-I want to visit Ms. Ketchum,"

"Ms. Ketchum... hhhmm,"

"She lives in Pallet Town. It's been too long since I last seen her in person,"

"A very long time indeed,"

"Again, Molly, it's kind of you to come with me. I hope I'm not a burden to

you,"

"No-no," said Molly, waving her hands, "I planned to visit Professor Oak,"

"You know Professor Oak?!"

"Everyone knows who he is. After all, he is the most legendary Pokemon Researcher in the world. Anyone studying Pokemon would run across his name in the textbooks. Also, my father is a Pokemon Researcher,"

Wow, thought Serena. "Then we are on the same page to visit Pallet Town,"

"Mhm," said Molly just then her stomach growls, "Um, Serena, is the cup of noodles ready?"

"Oh!"

Serena lifts the plastic cups off the lid of the ramen bowls and hands one to Molly. The two girls pray. Next, Molly chows down on the food.

"I almost forgot," said Serena, pulling out a bag of Poke food and pour into a bowl for the Delphox, "There you go," Then Serena picked up her ramen bowl and ate.

They ate their dinner and unpacked for the night. The girls got under their sleeping bags, changed out of their traveling clothes, and put on their PJs. Molly removes her large blue bowtie from her hair, and both hands smooth the hair. Serena combs her short hair.

"Good night, Molly."

"Good night, Serena."

Serena returns Delphox to her Pokeball and turns in her sleeping bag.