Back On The Road

The next day Both Eric and Ashley decided to head out on their journey. As they both finished breakfast and finished packing, they tried to decide on where to go next.

Eric: I feel we should continue going north west. there's a small town that is called Verdanturf out that way and it's also close to Rustboro City.

Ashley: why not straight west? if we do we'll reach Oldale town.

Eric: That's true but, if we go that way we'd have to follow the river and cross it at its most wide and deepest area.

Ashley: So if we go your way we run the risk of being attacked by a lot of bug types, rock types, flying types, and not to mention steel type Pokemon!

Eric: We're not going to climb the mountain. We're going to a small town at the base of it. So don't worry so much and plus there's a few other bug types I want to catch that way.

Ashley: Ok, I was fine with you bringing on Metapod when it was a Caterpie but if you bring on more bugs I'll be grossed out more.

Eric: what do you have against bug types?

Ashley: It's not that I have anything against them, I just don't like them.

?????: Hey I don't blame ya. I don't like bug type Pokemon either.

Eric and Ashley: who's there?

Laura: it's just me.

Eric: Laura! W-what are you doing here?

Laura: Well after the shock of you having a legendary Pokemon on your team wore off I decided that I should start traveling and well, who better to show me the ropes of being a trainer then you.

Ashley: do you even have a pokemon of your own, cause I'm not going to babysit you when I need to train my Pokemon and catch up to Eric.

Laura: Yes I do have my own Pokemon. Come on out!

As Laura tossed a PokeBall into the air a red beam of light and out of it came a small green reptile type Pokemon.

Eric: You have a Treecko.

Laura: So may I tag along with you two?

Eric: I'm ok with it because my Pokemon are learning Ashley's Pokemon's habits and tendencies in battle, so needless to say the matches are one sided. But I still need to talk it over with Ashley, so can you give us a few minutes to think it over.

Laura: Sure thing.

After a few minutes of talking it over Eric and Ashley agreed that Laura can tag along with them and they decided to go North West towards Verdanturf.

Eric: It's two against one. So we go towards Verdanturf.

Ashley: Fine. as long as you don't try and bring any creepy bug type Pokemon into your team I'll go along with the decision.

Laura: I second that.

Eric: Oh come on. there are at least 5 bug types that I want to catch. 1 Scyther, 2 Weedle, 3 Combee, 4 ledyba, and 5 Spinarak.

All of them will have a use for us, such as both Weedle and Combee. Once they Evolve into Beedrill and Vespiquen they will start to produce High grade honey which we could sell for a lot of money to buy better gear, well eventually that's what would happen. I want the Spinarak for its ability to create very resilient silk that is used in making high end trainer clothes that are both resistant to heat and cold. As for the Scyther and Ledyba they can be good power houses if trained correctly.

Ashley and Laura: Fine.

Ashley: If I find any of them crawling around in my sleeping bag I'll kick your ass.

Laura: Same here. Huh, just thinking about it gives me chills.

And with that out of the way they headed out on their journey once again. The time that they left the Pokemon Center was 8:00 A.M. Eric had his Dratini wrapped around his neck lick a scarf and Latias was in his shadow. Ashley had her Pichu riding on top of her backpack. Laura returned her Treecko to its PokeBall. As Eric, Ashley, and Laura began to travel North West, Red had his Alakazam keep an eye on them through its psychic abilities just as Professor Oak had asked him to do.

As Eric, Ashley, and Laura walked through the woods Eric took out a map that he bought at that Pokemon Center before they left and was thinking of staying in the woods for about half a month just to train his Pokemon and himself. While also being able to try and catch the bug Pokemon on his list to catch and train for both battle and domestic use. After about Four hours of walking Eric decided that they should set up camp and train for a few days before they continue.

Eric: We should set up camp.

Laura: Why?

Ashley: he wants to train his Pokemon and try to catch those bug Pokemon he told us about earlier.

Laura: alright then.

Eric: ok I'll start by getting the tents set up and make a makeshift fire pit so I can make lunch for everyone. Ashley-.

Ashley: Yeah I know me and my Pokemon go and find berries and some other stuff for you to add to lunch.

Eric: Nope. I want you to help me set up camp. Laura, I want you and your Treecko to search for berries that we could use.

Laura: Ok.

Eric: Now Dratini, Latias; I want you two to search for some branches and sticks that can be used to make a fire.

Latias then popped her head out of Eric's shadow and nodded at him before disappearing into his shadow and then into the woods. Dratini also nodded at him and went into the woods.

After Laura and her Treecko left to find some berries and other things Eric could use, Ashley felt like there might be another reason for why he had her stay and help set up camp instead of Laura who isn't used to being in the woods.

Ashley: Alright Eric what's the real reason you had Laura go and search for berries and not me?

Eric: What do you mean?

Ashley: Eric, I've known you for 12 years now and I know when you have something on your mind. So spill it. what was the real reason you had me stay here with you?

Eric sat quietly for a few moments thinking of what he was going to say to Ashley.

Eric: Well Ashley like you said we've known each other for 12 years, and I hope that I'm not the only one who's grown fond of you.

Ashley: What do you mean?, are you saying-

Eric: Yes, I believe I am saying that.

Ashley: Well I took you long enough.

Ashley then ran and jumped onto Eric and hugged him.

Ashley: And Eric my answer to being your girlfriend is yes. To be honest I was starting to think you friend zoned me.

Eric: No I was just nervous that you didn't feel the same way about me.

As Eric and Ashley hugged, Eric leaned in and kissed Ashley and she kissed him back.

a few moments later while Eric and Ashley were still hugging Laura came back without them knowing.

Laura: Ugh! Get a tent already.

Eric and Ashley jumped at hearing Laura.

Eric: L-laura! When did you get back?

Laura: Just a few seconds ago.

At this point Ashley's face was bright red with both excitement and embarrassment.

Laura: So what did I miss while I was out gathering berries? Other than you two getting together.

Ashley: Camp is set up and that's about it.

Eric: we're still waiting for Dratini and Latias to return with some fire wood so I can make lunch.

Latias POV...

Well I guess it's my turn to help Eric and gather as much wood as I can. Dratini is going to be soooo jealous and- oh something shiny.

As Latias saw something that caught her interest she went to see what it was.

what's this thing. Latias picked up a small round stone that was a purplish blue color and as she held it she felt like she was meant to have it and next to where the odd stone was a skull. What happened here?

Latias didn't stay very long due to remembering that she needed to gather wood for a fire. After a few minutes of picking up sticks and branches she realized that she couldn't carry both the small stone and all the sticks she had gathered.

Hmmm. I wonder if I could store them in the shadows with me. With that thought Latias tried and eventually succeeded in storing a lot of branches, and sticks in her own shadow. Well I should probably head back.

End of Latias POV and start of Dratini POV.....

I'm still trying to figure out why my dragon fire was weaker in that last fight (her fight against Jason's Bellsprout, and that Roselia). I mean I was able to completely obliterate all those bug Pokemon a few weeks ago without so much as a sweat. Oh well, I'm sure Eric will think of a way to make me stronger maybe even stronger than Latias. speaking of which that Pokemon is such a pain. I'm older than she is and have more experience than she does but yet she's probably just as strong as me if not stronger. Eric says that she's what's called a mythic Pokemon and whatever a shadow type is. Maybe that's why she's so strong. Maybe I should try and bring back more sticks than her.

After about 15 minutes of gathering sticks for a fire Dratini dragged them back to camp.

End of Dratini POV.....Back at camp.....

Laura: so it seems like Mr. clueless finally noticed you.

Ashley: Hey I told you that in private.

Eric: What's going on and do I even want to know.

Laura: Yes.

Ashley: No.

Eric: Ok, what's going on and why did you call me Mr. Clueless?

Laura: Well back--hmhmhmhm.

Ashley covered Laura's mouth before she could continue talking.

Ashley: Well let's just say I've dropped a lot of hints that I've wanted to be with you for a while now, and it seemed like you didn't notice or weren't interested in me that way.

Eric: Ohh. Well to be honest I thought you had been friend zoning me.

Ashley: Nope. Well looks like some of the Pokemon are coming back.

Just as Ashley was saying that Latias, Dratini, and Treecko entered the camp. Eric then noticed that Dratini had a large haul of sticks and branches and that Latias didn't.

Eric: Good job Dratini.

Dratini smiled and made a cooing noise out of happiness.

Eric: Hey Latias did you forget to bring back the sticks.

but as Eric finished that sentence he noticed that Latias was holding something.

Eric: What did you find Latias?

Latias then floated over to Eric and held out her hand that had the stone in it.

Eric: is that-! By Arceus it is! Where did you find it?!

Ashley: What, what did she find?

Eric: She found Soul Dew!

Laura: What's a Soul Dew?

Eric: A Soul Dew is an object that is created when a Latias and/or Latios sacrifice themselves by expelling all of their power at once. If another Latios or Latias has it on them or in really close proximity it will both increase their draconic and psychic powers. Also the more powerful the Latios and/or Latias are when the Soul Dew is Created the stronger the effect on the user.

Ashley and Laura were both shocked for a few minutes after hearing how a Soul Dew is created and what it can do.

Eric: Also by the coloration this one was made by both a Latios and a Latias, and powerful ones at the. I mean look how clear it is.

Ashley was the first to recover from shock.

Ashley: Wait how can you tell that it was formed by both a Latias and a Latios? And its quality?

Eric: I can tell by the coloration that it was made by both a Latios and a Latias, if it was just a Latios it would be a lot more blue with a hint of purple, and the opposite would be true if it was only a Latias. I can tell that they were quite powerful by the clarity of the Soul Dew. The more cloudy it is the weaker the Latios and/or Latias were.

Ashley: So the duo that died and created this Soul Dew were very strong judging by how clear it is.

Eric: Yup, and somehow instead of being close to the Ocean where you would think it would be. She found one here in the middle of the woods.

Laura: Ok, so where did it come from?

Eric: that's what I want to know. Latias can you show me where you found it.

Latias then nodded her head excitedly and started to fly off into the woods but waited for Eric to follow her.

Eric: Laura can you stay here and get the fire going, me and Ashley will follow Latias.

Laura: Ooh. going on a romantic picnic already.

Ashley: haha. Very funny Laura.

Eric and Ashley then followed Latias for a few minutes until she stopped and pointed to a dirt mound and told both Eric and Ashley that she found it next to the mound of dirt. Eric then walked closer to it only to see a skull sticking out of the dirt and staff a few feet away. when Eric noticed the staff he felt like it was calling to him.

Why does Eric feel like the staff is calling out to him? What does Eric plan to do with the Soul Dew? How will the relationship between Eric and Ashley grow? For the answers to these questions and more tune in next time.