You're a little unsure how to respond to such sudden emotion, so you settle for rubbing his back. Fortunately, it comes across as more soothing than awkward, because Zigzagoon coos softly and looks up at [[you|ZigFriend]].

Despite the fragile situation, you're confident you can handle this. Besides, Ralts seems a bit scared as well as injured and too many unfamiliar faces might not go over well. \nYou offer Ralts your water bottle. She stares at you for a long moment, and you get the feeling like she's looking for something. Well, whatever she finds, she takes the bottle from you carefully and takes a sip.\nAfter a few moments, Ralts steels herself and tries to walk closer to you. In her weakness, however, she trips instead. \nRalts could probably use some medical attention. But should you carry her, or should Blissey?\n[[You|RaltsCarry]]\n[[Blissey|BlisseyCarry]]

You carefully grasp the object and free it from the rocks.\nHuh. Looks like a Togekiss feather. You decide to place it in your bag.\n<<set $togeFeather = $togeFeather + 1>>\n<<if $togeFeather eq 2>> \nThat's two feathers now.\n<<endif>> \n[[Continue|BerryPatch]]

Oh, wow. That was unexpected. The action wasn't unwelcome enough to try and pry Zigzagoon away from you, but how do you respond?\n\n[[With a hug|ZigHug]]\n\n[[Ruffle his fur|ZigFluff]]

You enter the temple with caution and reverence. About ten paces ahead is an alter with a strange orb resting on it. You pick up Zigzagoon so he can examine your find easier. He yips and pokes the orb with his paw. Nothing happens, so you both decide the orb is harmless. It also seems a little sad to have such a beautiful--and potentially important-- object just sitting here. Do you [[take it|OrbGet]] or [[not|LeaveFootprints]].

Nope. Pay no attention to the blankness behind the curtain. All is well.

You were out walking, alone, far from any majorly populated areas despite not knowing the area for a very good reason, you remembered. Yeah! And that reason was because someone--who?--had-- Your eyes lose focus as your train of thought fades into static. \n"Your Pokemon are doing just fine," Nurse Joy's voice snaps you out of your trance. "It's getting late, though. Would you like to rest here for the night?"\n[[Plush beds? Count me in!|CenterRest]]

An unexpected hug is still a hug, and you're a rather affectionate person. Careful not to squish the little guy, you return the embrace. Zigzagoon yips happily and licks your cheek. \n<<if $hadLunch>>\nYour nose scrunches a bit at his sandwich breath, but then again, yours probably isn't much better.\n<<endif>>\nThe both of you calm down enough to start looking at [[each other|ZigFriend]].

You grab an empty pokeball from your bag (good thing someone had insisted you bring some) and hold it out to Ralts. She taps the button and disappears in a flash of red light. \nCongrats! You now have two pokemon companions. \nWith no further distractions, you continue to the [[pokemon center|CenterCalm]].\n

As your eyes meet, time seems to slow down. Pain and loneliness reflect in bright, brown eyes. There's also a sparkle of mischief and optimism. You blink and time seems to resume pace. \nZigzagoon barks happily and jumps from your arms. He stays close to your feet, though, so whatever he saw must have passed muster. \nYou unclip an empty pokeball from your belt and hold it out questioningly. Zigzagoon nods and yips so you press the button.\n\n[[The pokeball blinks once before stilling.|ZigOnward]]

You're afraid of hurting Ralts further, so you ask Blissey to carry her down the mountain. Blissey, picking up your concern, agrees. You gather up your things and start the last leg of the mountain. \n[[Wait, what's that up ahead?|RoadBlock]]

Your steady footsteps start to slow as the sun reaches its zenith. You pause, inhale the fresh meadow air, and stretch. Just after your back pops back into alignment, you hear a noise. It sort of sounds familiar like [[your hungry stomach|Lunch]] or maybe it was a [[wild pokemon|Lonely]].\nOr was it [[something else entirely|Lorn]]?

The Clefairy Voyage\n\nA long time ago, there was a tribe of Clefairy who lived on the moon. They adored their homeland and held nightly dances in celebration of its glory. But one day, one of the Clefairy had a thought.\n//The moon is so big and so beautiful, but we don't really know what it looks like,// He mused, //but it's so big that we can't see it all. What if it's more beautiful from somewhere else?// A long discussion ensued amongst the Clefairy. What if the moon really //was// prettier if viewed from elsewhere?\nThe great debate eventually reached a decision. They would build a starship and travel to Earth to view their precious Moon. And so they started working, gathering stardust and shaping it into a starship. \nMany, many months later, their starship was complete. The Clefairy excitedly boarded their ship and flew to Earth. Once there, they landed next to a tall mountain and sent their ship back into space to wait until they called for it. They climbed to the top of the mountain and waited for nighttime.\nThat night, the Clefairy gazed up into the sky and saw their beloved home illuminated by the glow of their ship. So enamoured were they by the sight, that they decided to stay on Earth so that they might be able to see it again and again. \n\n[[Return|RaltsStory]]

This noise... There was something almost... It was familiar, but every time you went to name it, the word elluded you. \nYou also feel a little sad, though you don't know why.\n...Hey, doesn't the whatever-it-is noise sound like it's [[by the tree|Lonely]]?\n<<set $heartstring = 1>>

You make it to the Pokemon Center with little excitement. The building is a quaint, log cabin and suits the relaxed, cozy interior perfectly. You have Nurse Joy look at your two friends while you either: [[grab a bite to eat|SnackOne]] or [[relax on one of the couches|ChillaxMan]].

The second Zigzagoon stops beside Ralts, it unleashes a Confusion attack at Mightyena. The elder pokemon growls and manages to shake off most of the attack. Zigzagoon takes the opportunity to Headbutt Mightyena before his opponent moves. \nRalts and Zigzagoon alternate attacks, trying to keep their opponent from attacking. You take the opportunity to quietly walk toward Budew to check for injuries. It seems fine, if a bit terrified.\nYou look over to the battle; the two are doing well, but Mightyena seems to be shaking off most of their efforts. Perhaps now would be a good time for a retreat?\n[[Sounds good! But how?|Retreat]]

He looks over at you, then to your hand, and back at you. After some hesitation, Zigzagoon cautiously walks over to you and eats the sandwich. Guess hunger outweighed his fear of you. \nThe sandwich is eaten pretty quickly and Zigzagoon seems a bit happier now. You start to get up, but it seems he has other ideas as the fluff-ball launches himself into your arms and [[nuzzles into your chest|Nuzzles]].

You immediately stop and close your eyes. Zigzagoon halts a few steps after you; he looks back at you in confusion, not that you notice. Just as suddenly, you point off to the left. \nYou have, for whatever reason, a strong urge to go left. Will you [[follow it|LeftWin]], [[continue on forward|EverOn]] or [[go right|RightPeril]].

There were three seven-foot-by-three-foot free standing shelves filled with Pokemon food. One shelf had a rainbow of fresh berries, dried berries, mashed berries, candied berries, pokeblock supplies, poffin supplies and...that's more or less what the first section held.\nThe second and third sections were dry and moist versions of all types of meals. Dry-flavoured foods were on top, mildly-dry pellets, average-dry biscuits, super-dry munchies, on two shelves, with moist versions underneath. Spicy flavours followed under the dry ones in a similar order: mild, average, intense, with moist versions below. Bitter, mild, sweet and sour finished off the last of the shelves. You also noticed a little paper hanging on the side of the last shelf, giving an overview of traits and potential preferred flavours. Helpful, but you hadn't know your new friends for very long. \n[[Staring at the shelves is only making you hungry.|SnackOne]]

Okay, so maybe looking for the source of the "potential doom" noise is a good idea. You scan the area once again, noticing the bumpy, boulder filled slopes. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary...\n[[Wait, did the boulder just move?|GravelerSpotted]]\n[[Nah, nothing to report|GravelerMissed]]

Blissey looks up sharply at the noise. As you try and leave she glares at you. \nOkay, change of plans. You decide to go and investigate the source of the pathetic noise, if only to avoid Blissey's wrath. \n[[Who knew Blissey could be so terrifying?|RaltsHelp]]

You decide not to waste time identifying the strange grating noise. It was more important to return to the Pokemon Center as quickly as possible, you reasoned. Unfortunately, your small party barely made headway when a large boulder rolls onto the path, blocking your way. \nThe boulder unfurls slightly, revealing four strong eyes and two angry eyes. Uh-oh, looks like you're in Graveler's territory. Ralts whines softly at the sight of the other pokemon. It hasn't attacked you yet, so how are you going to play this?\n[[Try and run past Graveler|GravelerMistake]]\n[[Try and find a different way down|SlipSliding]]\n[[Panicing is a rational response|GravelerTears]]\n[[Wait, why isn't it attacking yet?|GravelerRight]]

The path didn't seem that long; it would probably take half and hour at a brisk pace. Besides, Blissey didn't act like it was too much of a rush and it was probably better not to kill the both of you by accident. \nHalfway up the mountain, you see a white bit of fluff caught in a crack. Care to pick it up?\n[[Yes!|FluffGet]]\n[[Nah.|BerryPatch]]

The mysterious noise sounds like it's coming from a nearby tree. Maybe it's a pokemon! If it is, you hope it isn't agressive, because you don't have any pokemon of your own yet to defend you. Erring on the side of caution, you make sure to make enough noise not to startle whatever the noise-maker might be. \nA striped brown furry body comes into view, complete with a sad bandit-masked face. Or in other words, a Zigzagoon. \nYou also find a name to the noise-[[crying|Zigzagoon]].

You find the kitchen and make yourself something to eat. After your stomach stops whining at you, you peruse the selection of [[Pokemon chow|ChowSelections]]. ...Actually, this looks a little daunting. Maybe you should wait until they come back to pick.

You'd heard that Ralts were shy creatures, so you let her make contact. She looks at Zigzagoon, who gives a quick nod, before placing her hand on yours. \nFeelings from the pokemons' earlier conversation float through your mind. Ralts was grateful for your help and disappointed in herself that she had needed some. Zigzagoon apparently told her that traveling would help her grow stronger and that he was very enthusiastic about travling together. \n//None of us did very well in that battle back there, but we did a lot better together. ...Maybe we can be stronger together.//\n[[Ralts considers this and withdraws her hand with a nod.|PartyTwo]]

You and Blissey decide that you should carry Ralts. So, carefully, you pick up the injured pokemon, taking note of the wound on her leg. The journey isn't a difficult one, but about a ten minutes in Ralts starts getting restless. \nAny ideas on how to soothe your charge?\n\n[[Sing a lullaby.|RaltsLullaby]]\n[[Tell a story.|RaltsStory]]\n[[Murmur consoling nonsense.|RaltsSoothe]]\n[[Look to Blissey for help.|BlisseyCues]]

The three of you make it to another section of the path and continue down it with little fanfare. You were aching and bruised, but not terminally hurt as far as you or Blissey were concerned and Ralts wasn't any more injured than before. Blissey had managed to keep her feet beneath her and she and the berries were fine. (Of course, Blissey cheated by using Protect, in your opinion, but that was better than everyone being injured.)\nYour party is finally almost down the mountain when Ralts starts shifting uncomfortably in your arms. Trying to soothe the little one you decide to:\n[[Sing a calming lullaby.|RaltsLullaby]]\n[[Tell a silly story.|RaltsStory]]\n[[Make soothing noises.|RaltsSoothe]]\n[[Um. Good question. Blissey, help?|BlisseyCues]]

That's right, there was that odd little bit in the forest. Zigzagoon was taking a break in his pokeball, so you'd been alone when you felt like you were being watched. And several times you swore you saw a little, mushroom-like figure out of the corner of your eye. Every time you went to look, though, the figure disappeared. \nDespite how creepy the scenerio was, you didn't really feel threatened. You had continued on your way, still occasionally getting spine-prickles from being watched. \n[[Let's relax at the Pokecenter.|MysteryDecision]]

Once inside the Pokecenter, Blissey takes the berries and heads to the back. You hand Ralts over to Nurse Joy and ask her to look over Zigzagoon when she has time. With your immediate tasks over, you flop onto a couch. \nYou could [[comfort the other trainer|CaringEar]]. You could also [[get some food|SnackOne]]. Or maybe you'd rather just [[relax|ChillaxMan]].

You leave the cave and start back down the mountain. Not long after you reach the path a rumbling fills the air. Ralts whimpers in distress and shifts closer to Blissey. You look around for the noise, but see nothing unusual. \nSomething is making that noise and you're not sure if it's a very friendly one. Do you want to spend some time looking for the source, or carry on?\n\n[[Look around|NotRocks]]\n[[Ignore it and move on|AngryRocks]]

You place a hand over your stomach sheepishly as your stomach grumbles louder. Well, it was about lunch time, judging by the sun. And you had been walking for a while...\nGood thing you had packed a lunch, because there didn't seem to be any berry trees around. You sprawl out on the grass a few feet from the road and grab your backpack. There were a lot of interesting things in there, but the only thing on your mind was food. Finally, you find the plastic box that houses your sandwich. \nYou have eaten most of your meal when you notice there's still a grumbling noise. This time you can safely rule out it being your stomach. But is it [[a pokemon|Lonely]] or [[something else|Lorn]]?\n<<set $hadLunch = true>>\n

What!? Taking a break when there's a pokemon in danger is not an option.\n<<if $sillyScrape>> \nEven though you could use the moment to dress your scrapes... \n<<endif>> \nBut as you pass by a small cavelet, you hear a weak cry. Blissey snaps to attention, and insists you investigate. \nOh well. Maybe this could be important? \n[[Enter and explore the cave.|RaltsHelp]]

The two of you take a quick break in a small, shady cave. You grab two bottles of water from your bag and offer one to Blissey. As you're relaxing, you hear a small squeak from somewhere behind you. \n[[Care to investigate?|RaltsHelp]]\n[[Break's over, let's go.|BreakOver]]

The details of your current situation are starting to overwhelm you. Ralts is injured, Zigzagoon can't help and Blissey probably wouldn't be too much better. You also don't know if that Graveler is hostile or just wary. What if you attacked and set off a terrible chain reaction--!\nBlissey starts making soothing noises, startling you from your panicked spiral. Huh, when did your vision get so cloudy anyway? You dry your eyes--not that you were crying!--and inhale deeply. \n[[Graveler hadn't attacked yet, so maybe it was just wary of you?|GravelerRight]]

Heartbeats

Up ahead, a few days and tens of miles away, through sparce forests and sunny meadows, lies a mountain range. You traverse both the time and distance with little incident and have made it to the little pokecenter at the base of the mountain.\n[[No, that's not entirely correct. There was an incident. Remember...|ForestWatcher]]\n[[It'll be nice to sleep in a real bed again...|CenterDrama]]

As you're pondering how to escape, a soothing song fills the air. You can obviously tell by the trilling "To-ge, To-ge-kiss~" who is helping you. Or helping Budew. \n<<if $togeFeather gte 1>>\nJust because you saw one before doesn't mean there's a Togekiss stalking you. \n<<endif>>\nFocus! While Togekiss is calming Mightyena down, you pick up Budew and slowly walk toward the Pokemon Center. After you get far enough away, you look back. Mightyena seems to have retreated back into the forest--you're safe. You set Budew down and kneel to talk to her.\nAfter giving her an Oran berry and patching her up, a much happier Budew walks into the meadow. She calls out to a cluster of flowers which rustle and rearrange themsevles. Oh! Well, Roserade should be able to take care of Budew, you think. And with a smile, you resume your journey to the Pokemon--\n[[Wait a second...|RaltsDecision]]

Hmm, how to soothe an ill child? An old lullaby pops into your head and with little thought, you start to sing it. You seem to have feelings of safety and calm attached to the song--maybe you can convey those to Ralts.\nSomewhere in the middle of the song, where the lyrics paint pictures of warm, white wings and lyrical voices, Blissey joins in. Ralts snuggles into your arms and yawns.\nWell, what do you know? You've finally made it to the valley. \n[[The Pokemon Center is just up ahead!|CenterReturn]]

...\nIt's been a few days since you've met Zigzagoon; nothing interesting has occured since. \nNow that you have a partner, though, maybe you should give this aimless journey a purpose. It can still be your epic, coming-of-age/finding-oneself/etc. adventure, but do you really want to just...[[luck into it|tryLuck]]? Maybe you should undergo [[a quest|freeKnight]] of sorts. Or even try the [[league|championBound]]. Perhaps these decisions can still [[wait|Bohemienne]].

Just as you've decided that the coast is clear and move forward, one of the boulders unfurls into an irate Graveler. Ralts wiggles closer to Blissey in response, shivering slightly. The Happiness Pokemon hugs her charge closer and takes a more defensive stance. Huh. Come to think of it, Ralts might have been injured from a run-in with this Graveler. \nYou don't really have a good way to combat this Pokemon, so you're going to have to play it smart.\n[[Let's just make a break for it, we won't win a fight.|GravelerMistake]]\n[[It hasn't attacked yet, so maybe he's not hostile?|GravelerRight]]\n[[This is too stressful, I can't think clearly!|GravelerTears]]\n

You can hear Blissey sigh as you launch yourself at the mountain face. Sure, it is managable for the both of you, but the path would have been easier. You take stock of your scrapes when you reach the berry patch. Blissey picks several berries and starts down the path. Deciding you have enough injuries, you [[follow after|DownJourney]].\n<<set $sillyScrape = true>>\n

...

You plop down on one of the comfy green couches. As you relax, you notice that no one else is here. Which is just a tiny bit creepy, though not that odd. These mountains weren't exactly a hotspot. Which reminds you... Why exactly where you out here again?\n[[I remember exactly! ...I think.|YouDont]]\n[[I'm out here because...Um...|FuzzyMemory]] \n<<if $togeFeather gte 1>>\n[[I'm looking for someone...|FoggyMemory]]\n<<endif>>\n

You feel a bit nervous about the situation. If you accidentally hurt Ralts... You decide to call Blissey over. She has training for this, after all. Blissey walks over to you and stops when she sees Ralts. \nAlmost instantly, Blissey goes into nurse mode. She asks Ralts for permisson to check her injuries before doing so carefully. There seems to be a deep cut on the back Ralts's leg, plus general malnourishment and exhaustion. \nThe two pokemon converse for a little bit, before Blissey looks at you. Ralts needs a pokemon center, which is at the bottom of the mountain. Question is: who will carry her?\n[[Blissey|BlisseyCarry]]\n[[You|RaltsCarry]]

Hidden behind a rock near the back of the cavelet his a rather weak looking Ralts. It shivers a bit when you calmly walk closer. You slowly kneel by the rock, keeping enough distance to make Ralts feel comfortable. \nWhat to do now, though?\n[[Call Blissey over.|BlisseyAid]]\n[[Offer Ralts some water.|RaltsAid]]

A quest would be cool, but the lovely narrator hasn't written one yet. They are nice enough to provide a back button, should you like one.\n[[Bet it's not as cool as my quests would be.|SkipOne]]

As your palms touch, an odd, searching feeling whispers across your mind. You send a gentle pulse of warm curiosity at the feeling and Ralts squeaks in surprise. \nAfter a few moments, Ralts sends a jumble of feelings, an interest in adventure, apprhension, a wanting to become stronger, fear of the unknown, a desire for friendship... \nIt's hard to decipher everything, but you feel like you understand the small creature. As you think that, the feelings start growing slightly warmer. \n//I don't know where my journey will take me, but you're welcome to join it, should you like.//\n[[Ralts accepts your unspoken offer and withdraws from your mind.|PartyTwo]]

You can't quite seem to recall what pokemon had that design. Maybe it was one of those big, scary god types. If it was, you didn't want to be caught tresspassing. And how did you really know if the roof wouldn't collapse should you enter? Nope, this little adventure is over. Time to turn around and go back to the main road.\n[[There was probably just dust inside anyway.|EverOn]] \n[[No, wait! I want to see what's inside!|OldShrine]]

You decide to go back and help. Just because you hadn't really noticed anyone around doesn't mean there wasn't someone. As you rush back down the path, you call out Zigzagoon in case of trouble. \nJust outside of the forest you see a Mightyena growling at a Budew. You hesitate slightly about sending in Zigzagoon alone. As you're debating a course of action, something teleports in front of Budew. The new pokemon looks over at you and smiles. You get the feeling that it's asking for help.\n\n[[Zigzagoon bounds over next to Ralts.|RaltsMeeting]]

Just before you reach the Pokecenter, you hear a pained cry. From the pitch, you'd say a young pokemon. Whoever it is cries out again, this time sounding more desperate.\nYou would have to backtrack a little bit to find it. Will you go back and help?\n[[Yes|MysteryDrama]]\n[[No|CenterDrama]]

The inside of the Pokecenter was a bit tenser than you'd imagined. Nurse Joy and another, younger, trainer were in deep conversation; whatever they were discussing was distressing the child. You walk further into the main room, a bit uneasy from the atmosphere.\nA Blissey looks up at you from behind the counter. She calls out and rushes over to you. The pink Pokemon's cries catch Nurse Joy's attention and she looks over at you, then double takes. \n"Welcome to the Pokemon Center. Do you need me to look over anyone?" She asks kindly, if a bit tensely.\nYou ask if anything is alright, not wanting to pull the nurse away from something more important. Not that Zigzagoon wasn't important, but he was in fine health and Blissey kept giving you strange, hopeful looks. \nNurse Joy sighs and explains that the other trainer's Pachirisu was ill and that the best cure for it was some berries that grew on the nearby mountain. Pachirisu's trainer was too distressed--not to mention defenseless without his partner--to go up the mountain and Nurse Joy needed to keep an eye on Pachi's condidtion. Understanding the situation, you volunteer to go get some of the berries. \n"Wonderful! Blissey will accompany you to locate the berries. Pachirisu is stable for now, but the sooner I get those berries, the better," Nurse Joy calls as you head out the door.\n[[You and Blissey set out for the mountains.|BlisseyTrek]]

It was cool enough just to see this place. Besides, you don't know what the orb is for. There are a million reasons not to take it, so you don't. You turn back and head to the main road.\n[[Onwards to adventure!|EverOn]]

The two of you lounge beneath the tree line. A slight wind ruffles through the leaves creating a soothing atmosphere. The wind coupled with the warm air is very relaxing and you feel your eyelids start to droop. \nZigzagoon suddenly yips softly and you look around. There, on a branch a few trees away, was a Togekiss. Your eyes meet and you imagine you hear a pulsing noise as time slows. Togekiss coos and launches into the air, breaking the moment. \n<<if $heartstring>>\n<<set $togeFeather = 1>>\nShe leaves behind a feather, which you take. \n<<endif>>\nGuess it's time to [[keep going|Hostel]].\n

The afternoon sun was getting hot, so you decide to continue onward. You let Zigzagoon out of his pokeball for companionship. It wasn't that much further to the nearest hostel so you weren't worried about exhausting your friend too much.\nAbout a mile ahead is a small copse of trees and on the other side, the hostel. However, you and Zigzagoon would probably enjoy a small break here. Do you want to take a break or continue walking?\n\n[[Keep going|Hostel]]\n\n[[Rest Here|Blessings]]

No harm in following serendipity, right? Well, left, actually, but you get my drift. You and Zigzagoon race through the trees towards your assured prize. \nZigzagoon notices the old, moss-covered pavers before you do, but it quickly becomes evident that you're walking on an old pathway. The stones become less broken the further you go and soon you reach a small temple in the middle of a small forest. As ancient as the building is, it doesn't seem to be in terrible shape. You can even tell that the roof had embellishments to invoke the shape of a certain pokemon. \nDo you [[go in the temple|OldShrine]] or [[go back|Coward]]?

Slowly, you crouch down a few feet away from the Zigzagoon so as not to scare it. It seemed a bit small for the species and perhaps a bit more scruffy than usual, too. Almost like it didn't have packmates to help clean its fur or...\nNow that you think about it, Zigzagoon tend to live in packs. Why was this poor guy all alone? Maybe you could help it if you could find a way for it to trust you.\n<<if $hadLunch>>\nYou notice you're still holding the rest of your sandwich. Breaking off a small piece, you offer it to the [[Zigagoon|FoodWin]].\n<<else>>\nYou decide to talk quietly to it and move slowly closer as it becomes comfortable with you. A bit emotionally tense, but you couldn't find a better [[alternative|Calmly]].\n<<endif>>

You decide to take the path back down so as not to squish the berries. The sun is high overhead and all this trekking is making you uncomfortably hot. After a short conversation with Blissey, you both decide that you could take another quick break halfway down the mountain. \n[[Care to take a break?|BreakTime]]\n[[Let's keep on trekking.|DownTrek]]

You're not very good at having to soothe people so suddenly. Blissey notices your distressed look and makes calming noises. You get the feeling that the sounds don't mean anything, but it makes you feel better. \nHey! Maybe you could copy those noises for Ralts? Just because you're not good at this doesn't mean you shouldn't try, right?\nRalts smiles a bit at your slightly awkward humming. Whether it was the sounds or your emotions, you couldn't guess what worked. \n[[Ralts settles and you finish the trek down the mountain.|CenterReturn]]

Ralts and Zigzagoon are talking a little ways behind you. Your fluffy friend seems rather excited by the way he can't keep still. After some seemingly one-sided conversation, Zigzagoon tugs on your pant leg to get your attention. \nYou crouch down after some insistence from your friend. Ralts hesitently shuffles closer to you. A small white hand extends towards you. You're starting to get the impression that this is a psychic greeting. Question is, how should you respond?\n\n[[You carefully touch your palm to the offered hand.|RaltsOutgoing]] \n[[You slowly extend your arm, open palm near--but not touching-- Ralt's.|RaltsMutual]]\n[[You slowly extend your palm and place it just below Ralt's.|RaltsReserved]]

There already seem to be whispers of an adventure, why alter course now? After all, you met a new friend while wandering around. The laisez-faire lifestyle will suffice for now.\n[[Keep walking|EverOn]]

The slope doesn't look completely lethal here, maybe you can bypass the path and Graveler quickly enough that way? You quietly whisper the idea to Blissey who seems unamused by the idea. Graveler, meanwhile, doesn't seem to appreciate the hushed conversation and takes a threatening step forward. \nBlissey sighs in defeat and hands Ralts over to you. Ralts curls into your arms and stares up at you with wary eyes. \n"You'll be okay. I promise," you murmur quietly before stepping off the path. Blissey follows right after and the two of you slide gracelessly down the slope. \nAbout five feet down, your legs fall out from beneath you and you slide the tens of feet down uncomfortably sitting. \n[[You hope that the berries survive or this will have all been fo nothing.|BruisedReturn]]

The Zigzagoon was pretty nervous about you until the last foot or so. You pause, waiting for the both of you to adjust to the new distance, when a brown fluff ball leaps into your arms. In your shock you stumble a bit, but manage not to hurt anyone. \nZigzagoon is acting a little oddly... Is it [[nuzzling you?|Nuzzles]]?

You start making soothing noises like one might make to a mother might make to an infant. The warm nonsense coupled with your gentle footsteps soon soothes Ralts, who hums slightly in appreciation. \nBy the time Ralts has settled into an almost sleep, you reach the bottom of the mountain.\n[[Just a bit more to go!|CenterReturn]]

There's a vague sense of alarm as your thoughts turn fuzzy at the thought. Just behind the alarm is a tiny feeling of puzzlement, too. Because it makes no sense. You remember everything else perfectly. Your childhood--normal, your dreams and aspirations--just not what compelled you to starting walking aimlessly in foreign territory. You also sort of feel like there was someone else involved, but that thought immediately vanishes.\n"Your friends are perfectly healthy," Nurse Joy announces as she reenters the room with your friends in tow. "It's getting late; would you like to stay here for the night?"\n[[Sounds like a plan to me.|CenterRest]]

By an unspoken agreement, you both touch hands for the briefest of moments. You could feel Ralt's disappointment at not being able to protect Budew just as strongly as you felt her admiration for you and Zigzagoon. Distantly, you also wonder what Ralts felt from you from the exchange, but that's pushed aside as Zigzagoon nudges your foot.\nRalts looks like she's about to leave, so you gently wrap your hand around hers. She looks up at you, startled, but doesn't teleport away.\n//Zigzaggon and I are still learning ourselves... You could come with us...//\n[[Ralts smiles at you and Zigzagoon and nods.|PartyTwo]]

You spend the night at the Pokemon Center. In the morning, you and your companions eat breakfast and stock up on supplies before heading back out. The sun is still hidden behind the tall mountain peaks, making them appear dark and shadowy. \nRecalling your companions back into their pokeballs, you set off. There's a winding pathway that starts at the base of the closest mountain. Guess it's as good a place to start [[as any|MountainBeginnings]].

Remembering the start of your journey is like trying to recall a dream from weeks ago. You know you are on a journey to find someone. An old friend. You're not entirely sure why you feel like an adventure would help you find them, because that's where things start to fog. But you were sure that there was something about white feathers. You get a warm feeling from them, like your subconsious knows something nice that you don't.\n"Your friends are all healhty," Nurse Joy's chipper voice brings you out of your thoughts. "It's already dark, are you staying here for the night?"\n[[Soft beds might be scarce later, let's sleep here.|CenterRest]] \n

You decide pretty quickly not to call out Zigzagoon. Cute and fluffy as he was, your friend probably wouldn't help too much against an irriated living boulder. So, for his own safety, you left him inside his pokeball.\n[[Anyways,|GravelerSpotted]]

You do have extrordinary luck. Whichever direction you chose is always wrong. So you go right instead. \nSadly, you probably couldn't have picked a worse direction as this one ends in one of the pokeverse's many cliffs. On the bright side, neither you nor Zigzagoon walked off the edge. \n[[You decide to retrace your steps and continue onward.|EverOn]]

These are not the words you are looking for. But they're here anyway.

Finally, you reach the berry patch. Blissey plucks several berries from the bushes and puts them in her pouch. You both take a quick breather before heading back down the path.\n[[Good thing you're in shape, huh?|DownJourney]]

You carefully pick up the blue tinted orb. It feels warm in your hands and it seems to call out to you. Maybe you could find someone who could tell you what it is. But for now, you put it in your backpack and head back to the [[main road|EverOn]].\n<<set $soulDew = true>>

Hey wait a second! That "boulder" just totally moved! On a second glance, it looks like it a pair of arms...or two. Uh oh. You gulp a bit nervously as you realize the source of the noise was an unhappy Graveler. \n[[The three of you|ZigUncalled]] look around to check for more opponents. Luckily, it's just the one. While you're noticing things, do you notice anything else?\n\n[[He's not moving, so we should make a run for it!|GravelerMistake]]\n[[He's threatening, but not moving. He's posturing?|GravelerRight]]\n[[This is a very tense situation and I kinda want to cry right now.|GravelerTears]]

Ralts has to be uncomfortable, but what to distract her from the pain? Ah-ha! You could tell a story! You know hundreds of stories, so this should be a piece of cake!\nQuickly, you pick a silly story about a tribe of [[moon Clefairy|SillyStory]] who came to Earth in a spaceship made of stardust. It's a cute, odd little story and it's more than enough to keep Ralts entertained. You're pretty sure Blissey even laughed a few times.\nAs Ralts giggles at the end of the tale, you notice that you've finally made it down the mountain.\n[[Yes! We're in the home stretch!|CenterReturn]]

You stand at the foot of the mountain, peering up at the peak. Blissey taps you and points to a greenish patch half-way up. To your left was the path, which you could see wound gently and safely up the slope. In front of you seemed to be a patch of probably climable rocks. With a bit of effort, you could probably reach the patch faster going straight up.\nBlissey looks at the path, then back at you. Which way to you want to go?\n[[Rock Climbing|RockClimbing]]\n[[Safe Path|SafePath]]

[Insert Penname Here]

Taking on the gyms sounds cool. But it also sounds like a lot of work and it might be a bit hard with only one pokemon. \nYou decide to revist this dream when you have a better chance of achieving it.\n[[Revisit ideas|SkipOne]].

You decide to talk to the other trainer. It's been a while since you've really talked to another human and the poor kid looked like they could use a distraction anyway. \n"Thank you for helping Pachirisu out," the kid mumbles. He keeps looking at the door to the medical ward every once in a while as if it would summon the nurse and his friend back. You smile reassuringly, assuring them it wasn't a problem. The little adventure had led you to meet Ralts, after all, so it wasn't like you didn't get anything out of it.\n"Um, not to be weird, but I'd like to give you this as thanks," they start, pulling something from their bag. "I noticed you wear that white feather for a necklace so I thought you might like another one...?" \nAccepting the feather you note how many feathers you have.\n<<if $togeFeather eq 1>> \nTwo feathers, counting your necklace.\n<<endif>>\n<<if $togeFeather eq 2>>\nThree, if you count the necklace.\n<<endif>>\nYou continue chatting for a little while longer. In fact, it's only a couple hours later that Nurse Joy comes back out with a tired, but happy looking Pachirisu. Your new aquaintance jumps happily and rushes over to the duo.

The rest of the trip is pretty uneventful and you make it to the hostel with a few hours of daylight left. There aren't many people around, so you manage to get a room to yourself. \nTomorrow, you'll continue down the road in search of adventures. But for now, you sleep.\n\n[[Sweet Dreams, Traveler.|SkipOne]]