Meet up with Daniel and Kayla.

You and Joy exit the bathroom, having collected yourselves and dried off after your shower sex. You’re both still naked as you walk back into the bedroom portion of your room in the Route 4 Pokécenter, and Joy’s pink hair is still wet. As the two of you start to get dressed, you see your Pokédex out of the corner of your eye, and suddenly remember - her heart.

Quickly picking up your device, you turn to look at the white-eyed woman to ask her for permission to take a picture. Before you can speak though, you notice that she’s just standing there with her hands raised over her chest, held together in a heart shape. “Here.” Is all the placid girl says, staring at you blankly.

“So, you expected this too. Thanks.” You take the photo, adding yet another ‘stolen heart’ to the ever-growing list. You then quickly text your Mom, Daisy, and Silver, telling them that you’re about to head into the mountain and lose service, and that you’ll text them again when you get out. You also text your girlfriend in Pewter, albeit with something slightly different first.

@Trainer_Red: Had a lot of fun last night. Just not how I expected. Attached to this message is the picture of Route 4’s Joy making a heart. You also go ahead and upload it to your TPP while you’re at it, like the rest.

@PewterJoy: Oh my! Guess you get to save my panties for a rainy day. ;)

@Trainer_Red: Yup. Thanks again for being the most amazing girlfriend ever. I can’t wait to meet more of your relatives ;)

@PewterJoy: You’re welcome, and I look forward to the same. <3 Now, I take it you’re heading into Mt. Moon soon?

@Trainer_Red: Yeah. I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m on the other side.

@PewterJoy: I would appreciate that. Be safe!

@Trainer_Red: I will! <3

As you look up from your phone, you’re surprised to not see your girlfriend’s relative anywhere… when a voice right next to you speaks. “Texting my sister?”

“FUCKING- Why do you do these things!? Oh, and she’s your sister again?”

“No? She’s my cousin. And you were on your phone right in front of me. Kinda rude.” The now-clothed Joy pokes you in the ribs as she says this.

“You were changing. Sorry, though. I just wanted to let people know that I wouldn’t have service soon. And I wanted to let your cousin know about what we did.” You explain, pulling on your own clothes.

“She’s my sister, don’t you listen? And right… you’re leaving.” There’s no real change in expression on the white-eyed woman’s face, but her tone shifts slightly.

You lean down and kiss her on the forehead. “Yeah, I am. But visit at some point, I promise. And when I have service again, I’ll text you. What’s your @?”

“MoonJoy.” She answers, placing her head against your chest.

You wrap your arms around her, hugging her gently. The two of you rock in place a little, enjoying each other’s warmth for a couple of minutes, before you pull away. “Daniel and Kayla are probably up already. I need to get moving. Sorry.”

“It’s cool. Sure you have everything?” The nurse asks, keeping her hands on your hips. After you double-check to make sure that you grabbed all of your belongings, you and Joy exit the room together and make your way downstairs. You enter the lobby to find a Chansey behind the counter, tapping its foot impatiently, and your Vermillion friends relaxing in a booth. Daniel is idly browsing on his own Pokédex, while Kayla is leaning up against his shoulder, half-asleep. The pair are well-dressed for travel today; The blonde boy in navy-blue jeans and a tight black shirt with blue lightning bolt designs on it, and the sleepy brunette wearing more standard denim jeans and a pink tank-top.

As you enter the lobby, Joy’s Chansey spins on its heel and glares at the quiet nurse, hands on its hips. “Huh? What did I…” The nurse pulls her own phone out of her pocket. “Oh, you buzzed me when they came to the lobby. Sorry, I was having sex in the shower. Seems like everything is fine though.” The Pokémon shakes its head at the woman’s flippant response, as if to say ‘what am I going to do with you?’ and walks off, letting the white-eyed nurse take her usual spot behind the counter.

Daniel slumps slightly. “Well I was gonna ask why you both had wet hair, maybe tease you a bit. But now it’s not fun… Oh, and ‘grats Casanova. You’ve done it again!”

You blush slightly, but shake it off, not wanting to give your friend the satisfaction of embarrassing you. “Thanks. How did you guys sleep?”

“We… might have stayed up a bit too late. But we should be good to go! Right Kay?” The energetic blonde gives his friend a little shake.

“Mhm. Super ready.” She murmurs, sitting up and stretching her arms in a way that pushes her breasts forward nicely. “We going?”

“Or do you need to get another round in Casanova?” Your blonde friend asks with a cheeky grin.

You just roll your eyes. “We need to get moving… Joy, thanks again. For everything. I’ll be back when I can.” You return your room key to the nurse, as does Daniel.

“Good. I hope to see you again. You guys too. Come visit.” The taciturn nurse takes the keys, and speaks to your friends.

“Sure thing! We can come by when we get a chance.” The blue-eyed boy says, running a hand through his hair as he smiles.

“We’ll see you again sometime. Thank you for everything.” The brunette smiles as well, bowing slightly.

“Yippee. Now get going. Good luck in the cave.” Joy waves you off, and the three of you exit the Route 4 Pokécenter and walk out into the morning air, leaving the woman to her boredom once again. But you will be back, you swear it to yourself.

Early morning sun blares down, though the day is fairly chilly. Wispy white clouds float in the blue sky over Mt. Moon, and you all take a deep breath of fresh air. Turning to your friends, you say “Thanks for that, guys. She’s actually really lonely there, all by herself most days. We definitely need to come back sometime.”

“Poor thing. We’ll be back for sure! Right Daniel?” Kayla grabs her master’s hand.

“Yeah. Sounds like she’s got it rough. You’re a real charmer, eh Casanova?” The blonde elbows you good-naturedly.

“You’re never going to stop calling me that, are you Little Surge?” You throw back at him.

“Wha- Why I outta…!” You and Kayla both laugh at Daniel’s irritation, and he sighs. “I come up with fun nicknames for people. Why’s that gotta be my nickname?”

“Your nickname for me is just a shortened version of my name.” His **** points out.

“Look, I never said they were creative. Do you not like ‘Kay’?” A small frown crosses the muscular boy’s face.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it, Little Surge.” A quick peck on the blonde’s cheek punctuates the girl’s sentence.

He sighs again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m never getting away from that, am I? Whatever. While I’m at it, does Casanova actually bother you Red? ‘Cause I can stop.”

You chuckle softly. “No, it’s fine man. Though I guess Kayla and I should make the same offer about ‘Little Surge’, if you hate it so much.”

“That’s fair, yeah.” The green-eyed girl squeezes the buff blonde’s hand.

For a third time, a deep sign leaves the Vermillion boy’s lips. “No, no, it’s fine. I call you guys by nicknames, so whatever. It’s… fine if it’s you two, anyway.” A smirk plays on his lips, and he throws an arm over each of you and Kayla’s shoulders. “Enough talking! Time for spelunking! C’mon troops, ten-hut!”

He slaps each of you on the back, sending you stumbling forward. The three of you all laugh together as you make your way towards the large, marked entrance to the daunting Mt. Moon. This will most likely be the last time you see the sky or sun for at least three days, the last fresh air you breathe before exiting out the other… provided you make it through to the other side. This cave is long and has several branching paths, some unexplored, so it’s easy to get lost in. You downloaded a map, so you should be fine getting to Cerulean, but you just never know.

Well, only one way to find out. Your trio takes the first step into the cavern, darkness swallowing you as you leave the morning behind. You’ve officially begun your journey through Mt. Moon. Here’s hoping it all goes well.