I woke up feeling pretty great. I think I had slept in? Oh Arcanine was still snoring, and the sound of rain explained why she was still napping and not demanding exercise, wow getting to sleep in for once was kinda nice.

I rose up and stretched a jaw breaking yawn escaping me as I stretched.

Then I blinked and looked around and instantly stilled.

Ivy was awake and glaring at me, eyes red and almost puffy.

“Ivy?”

“Vicky.” She greeted me cooly, completely unlike her normal self.

I mean…

“That’s really cute.”

“Don’t.” She hissed. In her lap was a sleeping Phantump curled up in a ball almost looking like he was suckling his thumb as his hand was pressed up against the front of his stump. “I refused to sleep! Do you know how many stories there are about Ghost types attacking people in their dreams, or eating dreams! Or worse!?”

“What? Phantump are sweethearts though. And Dream Eater is just a move, most Pokemon aren’t going to just attack someone.” I responded honestly confused. They were one of the few Ghost types that didn’t have any scary stuff directly relating to them.

Sure people would get lost in the woods looking for them crying, but they were crying because they were little kids, not because they wanted to get people lost.

“Vicky. Ghosts terrify me!” She hissed quietly, the noise not even ruffling the Phantumps body as he continued to snooze away curled up against her.

“You don’t like Ghost types?”

“Ghosts are scary!”

I just continued to look at her because I just… Why?

They are just a type of pokemon! No different than Grass types to Fire types.

“Phantump is very nice and gentle… And he’s a Grass type.” I offered casually. And Ivy’s glare didn’t lessen at all.

“I. Don’t. Like. Ghosts.”

“You seem to be okay with Phantump now.”

“...He was crying.” She answered a little bitterly, but I noticed the way she brushed her hand over the little guy's head.

Awww.

She might have been scared of Ghost types. Something I didn’t know, but had still wanted to comfort him.

“Well Phantump are absolute sweeties. Really. They evolve into Trevenant, which is like a giant moving ghost tree. They protect forests, and are also very kind.”

Ivy blinked and then puffed out her cheeks in irritation, even as she then held the Phantump all the tighter.

“You should ask him if he wants to go with you.”

“Maybe.”

“Great. I’ll make some breakfast and-”

“Vicky.”

“Yeah?”

“He isn’t going to attack me in my sleep?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then I’m going to bed. Don’t wake me up.”

“Okay?”

“Good.”

—--

Everyone was fed, and Ivy had taken Phantump into her tent and they were sleeping being all cute.

The poor little guy must have been exhausted because he was still napping despite the hours going by.

I guess being lost in a forest during a massive storm would be pretty scary. I just… I really hope they weren’t actually children that had died in the forest. I really hope that was just weird Pokedex lore. I mean, ghost types still laid eggs, so I was leaning more towards it just being goofy pokedex bullshit again.

“Looks like the storm is finally breaking.” I mentioned to Lucario as I came back from checking the entrance. It was still raining a bit, but it wasn’t constant anymore.

“Lu.” She nodded, having been kneeling by the fire and filling a bowl of pokemon stew.

Lucario very much enjoyed my cooking and that was something I was very proud of.

“What are you going to do?” I asked her as I settled in to grab some of the food for myself. It was tasty enough for humans too. “I mean you’re welcome to stay! Ivy and I will likely use this cave as our base camp, and having more around just means more security.” I trailed off because Lucario was looking out towards the entrance and then back to me.

“I see.” I nodded. She wanted to go, and had only stayed because of Riolu potentially getting sick and then the rain. “Well come back anytime for lunch. You can even bring the brat.” I offered, pointing a spoon at Riolu who was practically licking her bowl clean after her own lunch.

“Rio! Riolu! Riii!” She instantly snapped back at me, and I couldn’t help but respond back.

“Mlegghhh!” I pulled at my cheeks and waggled my tongue at her. A pretty common playground insult in Kanto.

“Ri! Riolu?” She snapped at me, then looked to her mama, who just sipped at her stew and then scoffed at Riolu who looked frustrated and instead of responding how I expected she scoffed and settled back down.

Then of course she realized she was still hungry and wanted more and I gave her a haughty look as she looked from the bowl to the pot of stew that I was standing over.

“Riiiiiiiiiiii.” She growled out and I laughed at her obvious irritation before I held out a hand.

“Bowl.” She didn’t look like she wanted to, but eventually her stomach forced her forward. And she handed me the bowl and I refilled it. Even tossing in some spicy Lechi for her that I prepared beforehand.

She took it and even offered me a gritted thanks with a “Riol.” And then she hurried over to Lucario and settled in to happily eat next to her mama.

I nodded pleased, as everyone was nice and stuffed full of tasty and healthy food.

I settled in, and grabbed Ivy’s radio. Quietly turning it on, to see if the channels were back, and the music one was.

So I set that to play very quietly, so as not to wake up Ivy, and the pokemon enjoyed the quiet music in the cave as we waited for the rain to finally end.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

—--

Mid afternoon we finally saw actual sunlight. Slowly the clouds were parted by the power of the sun and I walked out to check. Everything was wet and muddy, but I could hear pokemon beginning to call to each other and head out looking for food.

“Lu?”

“Yeah, looks like the rain is finally over.” I told her, turning to see Lucario had joined me at the entrance.

“Lu. Lucario.” She stated, nodding firmly. Then to my surprise she reached out and patted my head. “Lucario.”

“Wha?”

She turned and headed back inside and after a few calls, Riolu joined her. Both looking ready, and both Pokemon started heading out.

“It was nice to meet you.” I told them, and while Lucario nodded, Riolu blew a raspberry.

Which I instantly returned, almost starting the fight all over again, but Lucario wrapped an arm around Riolu’s shoulder and guided her away, even if both of us were glaring at each other.

With Ivy still sleeping I wasn’t going to head out too far, but it was tempting even so. With the rain that meant there should be more Goomy wandering around…

Oooh! Ivy! I’m sorry for keeping you up all night, please wake up!

At least Phantump was looking better. The poor guy’s stump had been super waterlogged last night. I might have been half asleep, but at least I still knew how to take care of cute pokemon!

Well okay. If Ivy was still asleep, that didn’t mean I had to stay inside the cave.

Besides, Arcanine needed some exercise.

“Come on girl.” I whispered and Arcanine jerked to her feet, tail already flailing as if I had just said the magic word.

“Walkies!” I said and that tail exploded as she practically ran past me.

Right no leash. So that meant she was finally free.

I made it outside just in time to see her already running around in the mud and absolutely harassing a poor Starly that she had nearly ran over. The poor bird had tried to flee into the sky only to slam right into far too much dog.

I rolled my eyes as Arcanine didn’t even notice. Running around and smelling trees and splashing in the mud.

I was going to have to throw her in a lake after this wasn’t I?

“Milotic! Come on out!” I called and Milotic cried out as he stretched in the afternoon air. He looked around curiously at all the water for a moment before trilling as he came over for a hug.

“Rain is all up. I figure I’ll let out Dragonite and give you two some time together, but do you mind watching the cave entrance? Ivy is in there sleeping.”

“Miii!” He trilled happily and nodded, and a moment later Dragonite was out as well. She instantly glomped onto Milotic preeing for him and then noticed me and came over to hug me as well, rubbing her cheek against mine.

“You heard right?” I asked, and she nodded. Great that meant I could do a little exploring. I mean Walkies.

Definitely just letting Arcanine stretch her legs.

A moment later, Milotic and Dragonite were curled up in front of the cave entrance being adorable and I followed after the cries of birds as massive muddy doggy prints.

It didn’t take long to find her, and I sighed when I discovered what had caught her attention.

A small pack of Skwovet were being harassed as Arcanine ran around the tree they were in and they were screaming at her as she ran around and around.

“Arcanine! Leave those poor Skwovet alone!” I called out and she turned to look at me, and whined and I noticed what had gotten her attention.

The Skwovet had Lechi berries…

“You glutton! You just ate! Leave them alone.” I called out and finally she whined again and with only a few backward glances did she slowly walk back to me.

“Silly dog.” I told her as I grabbed her cheeks and rubbed them a bunch. “I’ll give you some Lechi berries as a treat when we get back. First we need to get you some exercise.”

“Arc!” She said happily now, almost bouncing on her paws as I rolled my eyes.

“Okay let’s do this.” I said as I walked over and climbed onto her back. “There. Now this mountain has all sorts of stuff. Let’s do a quick exploration.” I offered and held on as Arcanines back bunched under me.

And then we were off.

Kitakami was a pretty crazy place. With the giant mountain in the middle and all the mountain ranges surrounding it, the place was actually really varied in its geography.

Lakes and rivers. Forests. Even a barren spot that I had seen in the game, but haven’t looked at yet.

We ran around mostly on the same side of the mountain we had started on. Arcanine loved leaping over the rivers and streams to get to the other side.

Me not so much.

But I spotted all sorts of pokemon as we ran around.

But no Goomy.

I kept an eye out, but I didn’t see a single one of the little blobs. “Alright girl, let’s head back.” I called out which Arcanine stopped almost on the dot as I spoke and then turned to look back at me with big puppy dog eyes.

Then she whined.

“No, none of that. We need to get back. We’ll go on another run later. I promise. I want to look all over this mountain, and that’s gonna be from your back. But I don’t want to leave Ivy alone… besides, I owe you a treat.”

At the magic words her lips were licked and she sort of perked up but she was still down.

“C’mon now. Let’s go.” I urged and finally she turned and blitzed into a run to head back to the cave.

We raced back, and from Arcanine’s back I waved at a few pokemon that we passed. Most of them hurrying to hide at our very loud very fast travel through their territory.

Then our blitz through the forest was stopped suddenly, as Arcanine jerked away and in a blur of dark energy a Mightyena blurred into sight. The Suckerpunch missed as Arcanine zigged just in time.

“Whoa!” Then I ducked as a pulse of Dark energy blew over my head.

Arcanine slowed for a second and went into a battle posture, her growl deep and dark, as more and more Mightyena and Poochyena slipped out of the darkness between the trees. Each of them glaring and mouths open baring teeth.

The yips and laughs of the pokemon echoed around the forest and I realized there were quite a few of them.

“Wow you guys picked the wrong targets.” I called out, as I slipped off Arcanines back. Which only made the swarm start drawing in even closer.

“Arcanine. Go. Blue Heart! I need some protection!” I called out, and at those words Gyarados appeared with all the anger his species was known for.

The pack of Mightyena stilled at his appearance, but it was too late for that.

Arcanine was already blurring, and all the Sucker punches in the world weren’t going to stop her.

Gyarados wrapped around me. His pure bulk kept me safe as he roared, and then a blast of purple energy blasted out, Twister. Huh, I hadn’t seen him use that move before. But the whirlwind of energy blasted out over my head, although I couldn’t see what had happened, I could hear the crashing sound of explosions and cries of hyena getting blasted around.

“Come on out Chansey.” I called pulling free the Goddess who instantly took in the situation from her position between my Blue Hearts coils and nodded. But she didn’t rush out. Simply waiting calmly, as the explosions and cries of pain continued.

—--

“Chansey! Chanse chansey.” She lambasted another of the Mightyena.

She had come out after the devastation, and had started with the Poochyena. The little ones had very quickly cowered at her showing their bellies when one of the Poochyena had thought taking a bite from her had been a good idea.

The poor pup was still dazed, both of its cheeks puffed up to a comical degree.

That had taught the others, and now she was working her way through the pack, even healing the leaders.

Arcanine was at my side practically buzzing as she was obviously hoping for more battles.

Gyarados was just glaring. The most quiet I had ever heard him, which was saying something. As he literally loomed over me, casting me in a shadow and glaring at any of the hyenas that so much as looked my way.

I felt very safe.

So this was what the villagers had meant. A full pack of Mightyena twenty or more strong had attacked us out of nowhere. A normal trainer would have been in some serious trouble.

I would have to alert Ivy. Neither of us were allowed to wander around without our pokemon at our sides.

At least until all the packs in the area learned not to mess with the two human girls.

“Chansey!” She called out and walked back to me, wiping her flippers together as she had finished the job.

All of the Mightyena and Poochyena were revived if not fully healed.

All of them were inordinately wary.

“We aren’t going to do anything further. You can go. And you should. Don’t attack us again, or we won’t be as gentle!” I called out and the pack sneered and growled, but the leader, a big female turned and walked back into the forest and all the others followed.

“Arc! Arcanine!” I looked to my girl as she had barked back into the forest, but whatever she had called out she didn’t give me any clues just wagging her tail happily as she had gotten the battle she desired.

“You realize you are covered in mud now. That means a bath.”

“Arc?” She yelped looking at me and I just gave her a flat look. She had ended up rolling around in the mud as she fought, and was liberally coated.

“Alright Blue Heart? You mind carrying me back?” I asked, turning to my big boy who instantly jerked his head away from the forest and rumbled in happiness at the idea.

I ignored Arcanines flopped over ears as she followed dejectedly as Gyarados did a few Dragon dances, getting the heft he needed and then flew over the treetops back to the cave as I stood atop his horns.

—--

Arcanine was forced to sit outside the cave when I got back. As I went in to check on Ivy, who was still passed out.

Good.

Milotic and Dragonite had done a good job and so I just waved them off as I walked Arcanine back to the streams.

“Alright. Time for a clean up. And don’t you dare shake all over me!” I told her finger wagging but she just looked at the water and then whined.

“I know it’s cold! Trust me, I know. But you are covered in mud.”

“Arc!” She said and suddenly burst into flames hot and bright for a few moments, and then when it dimmed but didn’t go away her tail was wagging sending a few embers around and most of the mud was drying.

“You’ll still be dirty.”

“Arc!” She argued, and I narrowed my eyes, before sighing. “Fine. If you can dry off all the mud and not cover everything in dirt I won’t make you go in the stream… For now. When we get home, you’re still getting a full bath.”

“Arc!” She argued, but I shook my head and she finally huffed out a doggy sigh and then burst into fire again.

I left her there to bake the mud off herself. I saw her using a tree to rub against as I got back to the cave.

That poor tree.

—---

“Vicky?” The sleepy call pulled me from where I was relaxing.

“Hey Ivy. Did you sleep well?”

She blinked sleepily at me, and then looked at the Phantump that was still curled up to her chest looking up at her with his big pinkish red eyes.

“I slept fine.” She decided and then crawled the rest of the way out of her tent.

“Can you hold him?” She asked, and I nodded, and offered both my hands to Phantump, who hesitated for a second but then reached for me, and soon I had a cutie settled in my lap as Ivy went to use the bathroom. Just as she was walking out I remembered.

“Oh! Don’t go anywhere without a Pokemon! Arcanine and I were ambushed by a Mightyena pack a while ago.”

“What? Are you okay?”

“Fine! Chansey healed up the pack after. Just be careful. Pokemon here can and will try to eat you!”

She shuddered at the idea but nodded and once she was outside I heard the heavy thump of her Venusaur join her.

I looked down and into the pink red eyes and smiled at Phantump. “You hungry?”

He sort of jittered a bit, and that was good enough for me!

“Let’s find out your favorite, and I’ll make you something to eat then. Let’s see, here are the basic berries. Let’s figure out what you like.” I hummed as I spread out each of the berries in front of him, and giggled as he looked between them all and me with a shocked look on his face.

“Yeah, figure out which one you like the most!” I assured him and giggled as the little ghost started looking pretty excited.