“This sucks ass,” Fiona said as she trudged along, Mimi in her arms.

  “Agreed,” Eleanor replied, the other girl following a few steps behind.

  Both girls were exhausted and hungry. Neither had their bags, and they were walking in just the light of Fiona’s Poketch, relying mostly on Mimi to spot any threats in the darkness. Fiona would kill to have Star with her right now. Still, at least she had Thistle again. Seeing her Rufflet wing his way into the room when she was fighting those Onix the day before had been such a relief. It was also nice to have someone to talk to, even if Fiona and Eleanor weren't particularly close.

  They had been walking mostly in companionable silence since yesterday, having decided their best course of action was to head to the exit and wait for the others there. It was a bad idea to go wandering around in the caves without any gear, especially since they were relying on suspicious cave ponds for water.

  Fiona’s nose scrunched up as she remembered the last pond they had found. Fiona really didn't want to drink it, but they hadn't had much of a choice. Luckily Eleanor had a clever thought. They used some bowl shaped rocks to scoop some water out and had Mochi and Thistle boil the water with Heatwave and Flamethrower. Hopefully that would keep them from getting sick.

  It did nothing for the hunger though, nor did it change the fact that they had slept on the hard stone floor of the cave. All of Fiona’s joints ached, and if she had encountered one more Arceus damned Zubat she would fucking flip.

  “Hey Fiona?” Eleanor asked, interrupting Fiona’s brooding.

  “Yeah?”

  “Why did you flip your Dad off after your gym battle?”

  Fiona turned to look at Eleanor.

  “If you don't mind me asking,” Eleanor added quickly, “Sorry if I’m prying.”

  Fiona shrugged. “Nah, it's cool. My Dad is a prick. Never has time for anything or anyone other than himself. Plus, he is definitely banging his assistant.”

  “Oh.” Eleanor said, “I’m sorry, does your Mum know?”

  Fiona snorted, “Of course. She's fucking hers too.”

  Eleanor was quiet for a bit.

  “Your family sounds fucked up,” she said after a while.

  Fiona laughed, “Yep. The Abernathy Family. A battling dynasty, and a collection of self serving pricks who are obsessed with image and self gratification. Fuck the lot of them.”

  Fiona had been five when she first learned how fucked up her family was. She had come home from her first day at her new school to find her Dad beating the shit out of her brother for losing a battle. Her Dad had never touched her or her mum, thankfully. Not out of any sense of decency, mind you, but because the women weren't worth his time.

  Not that she was any closer to her Mum. That bitch was a gold digger of the highest order. A former Coordinator that treated her daughter like a fashion accessory until Fiona had successfully acted up enough to get sent to live on her own and attend trainer school. Hearing that the Gym Challenge would be on the other side of the world was the best news Fiona had ever received. She was free. Free to swear, free to kick ass and free to kiss however many girls she wanted without the shadow of her parents looming over her.

  “Is that why you are so determined to get stronger?” Eleanor asked, snapping Fiona out of the self reflection.

  “Pretty much,” Fiona replied. “I’m going to win this Challenge, embarrass the fuck out of my parents, then go back home and crush Dad in a battle.”

  “I hope you pull it off,” Eleanor said.

  “Hope’s got nothing to do with it,” Fiona told her. “It's going to happen. If I got one thing from growing up an Abernathy, it's that ‘no’ is a word reserved for telling people to fuck off. Life is a dick, and if you want something out of it, you gotta grab the veiny fucker with both hands and work the shaft until it explodes.”

  Eleanor choked.

  “That is… the worst metaphor I have ever heard.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I don't recall thanking you.”

  “Well you should, it's great advice.”

  The girls walked in silence for a few minutes, just the sound of dripping water and shuffling feet until Eleanor piped up again.

  “I wish I had that drive,” she confessed.

  Fiona just snorted.

  “Bitch, you walked into Eterna Forest with a new Mareep, an asshole Chatot and two strangers because you want something. You have plenty of drive. You just need to learn how to shut the fuck up and recognise it.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “You’re kind of a bitch, you know that?”

  Fiona laughed.

  “I thrive on it.”

  “But a surprisingly nice one,” Eleanor continued, “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it. And don't worry about losing your stuff. I stole one of Dad’s cards before I left. He can pay for all your gear when we get to town.”

  Eleanor giggled, and they walked on, this time chatting rather than in silence. They discussed all sorts of things, Fiona regaling Eleanor with all sorts of sordid tales from her childhood, while Eleanor provided recountings of Troy’s various exploits.

  “So you’re telling me that the finest piece of manmeat I have ever seen cries at weddings and is more bent than a paperclip?” Fiona demanded.

  “Yep,” Eleanor confirmed.

  “That is a loss for straight girls everywhere.”

  “Yeah…” Eleanor replied wistfully.

  “Still, plenty more Troys in the sea,” Fiona replied, “Don't worry girl, we’ll score you a himbo. Just you wait.”

  Eleanor laughed.

  “Thanks Fiona."

  They walked in silence for a moment, before Eleanor spoke up once more.

  "So is all the flirting with Chloe just more acting out or are you actually into her?"

  Fiona whirled, “What's that supposed to mean?"

  Eleanor held up her hands, “Hey, I get it. Chloe's cute. Who wouldn't be into her?”

  “Mmm,” Fiona said, non committally.

  “Do you think she likes you back?” Eleanor asked.

  Fiona groaned.

  “I have no fucking idea.”

  “Well there is an easy way to find out…”

  “Not happening.”

  “You know Fiona, for someone who talks about grabbing life by the balls and kissing girls, you’re a bit of a coward when it comes to romance,” Eleanor teased.

  “And I suppose you asked Troy out, did you?” Fiona countered.

  “Yep. Didn't work. I survived. What's the worst that could happen, she says no?”

  “She could call me a disgusting freak, spit in my face and walk away.”

  Eleanor blinked. “You don't really think she would, do you?”

  Fiona sighed.

  “No, but if I make a move and she reacts poorly? I’d rather keep the friendship.”

  “So instead your plan is to flirt until you know if she’s interested?” Eleanor asked, and Fiona nodded.

  “Exactly.”

  “That's a shit plan Fi.”

  “Yep, but it's safe.”

  Eleanor shook her head, “Whatever you say.”

  “I do say,” Fiona replied, “Now stop talking, I think I hear something.”

  It turned out she had heard something. A lot of something. An entire colony of somethings in fact.

  “That's a lot of Zubat,” Eleanor whispered, staring into the cavern ahead.

  “I hate those fucking things,” Fiona muttered back, but do you see what I see?”

  “An exit,” Eleanor agreed.

  Before them lay a large cavern. Zubat filled the area, clinging to the roof, fluttering about. Multiple other tunnels opened up into the space before them, and directly across from them, one such tunnel was allowing a small amount of sunlight to filter through. They were at the exit. They just needed to get there.

  “Do we go around?” Eleanor asked, and Fiona shook her head.

  “I don't see any other paths,” she replied, “We’re going to have to go through.”

  “I’m not sure that's a good idea.”

  “Probably not, but good ideas are for ugly people.”

  Eleanor snorted, “So we're doing this?”

  “Yep,” Fiona agreed, turning to the small cluster of Pokemon that were with them.

  Reinette was barely moving, she would be of no help, but the sunlight visible up ahead had clearly improved her mood. TJ, Mimi and Mochi were raring to go.

  “Are you ready?” Fiona asked, and they all collectively nodded.

  Beside her, Eleanor sighed.

  “Alright, let's do it.”

  Fiona nodded, “Okay, we blast our way through, keep moving, keep your head down. They won't follow us out very far. Sound good?”

  “No, but we'll do it anyway,” Eleanor replied.

  “It's like you said, we found the shaft, now it's time to work it.”

  Fiona grinned, “That’s the spirit. Let's roll.”

  “Sounds good,” Troy agreed.

  “Okay, on three... wait, Troy?”

  The girls whirled. Troy was standing behind them, Echo on one shoulder, Happy on the other.

  “TROY!” Eleanor shouted, wrapping the big guy in a hug.

  “When the fuck did you get here?” Fiona demanded.

  Troy shrugged, “Right about the time Eleanor started talking about working the shaft.”

  He looked down at the girl crying into his abs.

  “It's nice to see you putting yourself out there again El, but there's a time and place for it.”

  Troy peered into the cave ahead.

  “Besides,” he continued, “you can do better than a Zubat.”

  “Fuck you Troy,” Eleanor sobbed.

  “No thank you,” he replied with a grin, “Sup Fi. Thanks for keeping TJ safe guys.”

  Troy's little Pancham had joined Eleanor in hugging him, creating a little reunion pile in the tunnel.

  “You good with the plan then Troy?” Fiona asked, and he nodded.

  “Yep! Though we should wait for Chloe, Happy says she should be right behind us.”

  “Chloe?” Fiona asked.

  “FI!”

  A blonde ponytail came racing around the corner, tackling Fiona in a giant hug. Fiona stumbled and fell.

  “Wha?”

  She was soon covered in blondes and Fairy Types as Mochi and Mimi joined in on the dogpile.

  “I MISSED YOU GUYS SO MUCH!”

  “I… can’t breathe…”

  “Oh, sorry!” Chloe released Fiona, instead focusing on her Pokemon who were whimpering and hugging her, with even Reinette joining in.

  The clopping of hooves had Fiona looking up to see Star staring down at her.

  “Hey Star, did you miss… hey!”

  Fiona was knocked back over as Star gave her a nudge. He then proceeded to eye her up and down, even rolling her over to inspect her back.

  “Star! Stop it!” Fiona protested, “I’m fine you goof.”

  Star snorted, but released her. Fiona stood, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “I missed you too…” she muttered. She stood there a moment, leaning into his mane, relishing in the silky soft coat, reunited with her best friend.

  Fiona released Star, standing back. They weren't finished yet.

  “Right!” Fiona said, clapping her hands. “Now that we’re all here, we can get the fuck out of this cave.”

  Fiona looked around, doing a quick head count. They weren't missing anyone that she could see. Troy, TJ, Happy and Salad were flexing together, Eleanor was with Echo and Lumen. Fiona had Heather and Thistle, Star was right there, and she could see Tank’s Pokeball on Chloe’s belt. Chloe meanwhile was being hugged by her trio, and…

  Fiona paused.

  “Chloe?”

  “Yes Fi?”

  “What the fuck is that?”

  Chloe followed Fiona's gaze.

  “Oh, that's Mr Growly. Say hi, Growly!”

  “Mhm.” Fiona agreed, “Hello Growly.”

  Mr Growly, true to his name, growled in response, sheltering behind Chloe, clearly unsure of what to think of all these strangers.

  “Chloe, I just have one more question,” Fiona said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Where the fuck did you get a Tyrunt?”