" this is the best I can do, you'll get better after some rest ". Billy told Harold after giving him treatment for his minor cuts and bruises, he also applied cream on his face to reduce the swelling.

" Thanks ". Harold said as he stuffed his mouth with food. He was now inside Lina's tent and wearing a spare of clothes from Billy, it seemed that it was a trend now letting other people wear his clothes. " I was so hungdy! ".

" I can see, eat as much as you need, just don't choke in your food ". Harold nodded and chew away. Billy went outside the tent to talk with Lina who wasn't too pleased to wait outside of her own tent.

" You kids better not been touching my stuff in there! ". She protested.

" We aren't, I used meds from my own first aid kit, anyway, once he's better we can take him to the nearest clinic ".

" Are you planning to take him with us? ".

" Well yeah, he's my friend, we were paired together during our first test, he's a bit of a clutz but he's a good guy, I'm also worried that he's not carrying his stuff or his PokePon ". Billy wondered if he was robbed or something.

" Well, I'm not against it as long as he doesn't interfere with my goals ". The girl said as she started picking her stuff around.

" Whatever, I'll check on him again ". Billy went back and found Harold more clam now, he seemed also ready to go explode from overeating.

" I hope you don't get a cramp later for eating too much ". Billy said as his friend lay down to rest.

" You don't undedstand ". Harold begin to explain with part of his mouth still swelling. "Eved since getting into this hodible place it's been nothing but bad luck! Fidst I got lost, then I lost my money, then it dained pdetty hadd and had to hide inside a cave, which was full of cool things, but I was chased out by a big bead PokePon and because of that I lost the dest of my stuff, then I had to wanded adound this fodest seadching fod food! It wad hoddibleee! ". Harold cried an impossible amount of tears just like Pinkie when she belly slapped the ground a week ago in her match against Twilie.

" Ok, I understand you getting lost but how did you lost your money? ". Billy asked.

" Well, firdt I found a weid gidl walking adound, then she challenged me to a fight, so I lost and she said I had to give hed my money, she said it was a dule od something, so I had to do it ".

" A girl defeated you and told you to hand over your money? ". Harold nodded rapidly.

" That... That's stupid! That's ridiculous! What kind of mess up world would have a rule like that?! Lose, and on top of having your creatures beaten to a pulp you have to PAY the guy for that?! That's insane! ". Billy cried in outrage.

" Well, that's what she told me ". Billy patted Harold in the back, giving him sympathy for both his suffering and his naivety. He walked out of the tent again, by now, Lina has done picking up her stuff except for what was inside her tent, she was also more annoyed.

" How long are we gonna take? We can't remain here if you want to challenge the gym". Lina asked.

" I know, but first we have to help Harold get his stuff back, for what he told me he ran into a nasty trainer that took his money after defeating him ".

Lina tended up after hearing that. " He... Some-one took his money? ".

" Yeah, he said it was some weird girl who beat his PokePon and lied about the loser having to give money to the winner, what a scumbag! ".

" So, you, you're not supposed to do that? ".

" What?! No, of course not, that was the old way back before the League and the Association were founded, doing that now is outright thievery, you know that, right? ".

" Ye-yeah! Of course I know hehe, totally ". She looked at the inside of the tent, a chill running down her spine as memories started to spring forth.

" Poor Harold, I wish we crossed paths with that delinquent, we could get her to turn the money back between the three of us ". Billy said, considering the idea.

" No! ". Billy was startled by Lina's sudden outburst. " I-I mean, what if that fellow didn't know that, or if she was maybe running low in money? Wouldn't that count for something? ".

" She was also very mean! ". Yelled Harold from inside the tent. " She told me that I was a loser after beating my poor Pinkie, and she accused me of been an immature child too! ".

" She did? Wow! She sounds more malicious by the minute. I wonder how she looked?". Billy asked out loud.

" S-she probably was an old hag or something, old, very old, most likely ". Lina was now pale and even Crecea looked alert by some reason.

" She wasn't old ". Harold called again. " She was just a bit olded than us. She was also vedy snadky about hed clothes and how matude she was but she was just as lost as I was, she said she was looking how to get to Yudtown ".

" She was looking for Yurtown? ". Billy asked surprised. " Something about that sounds familiar ". His mind started to connect the dots, his eyes set down on Crecea. " Do you remember what kind of PokePon she had? ".

" Oh sude,it was a yellow one, like the gidl on oud class ". Harold answered.

Billy's eyes turned to his female friend who was now sweating and smiling awkwardly.

" Did she had white hair by any chance Harold? ".

" It was kind of dadk but I think so, yes ".

" You don't say ". Billy glared at Lina, the girl was shaking now and her face was red as an apple.

" Hehe, small world, eh? ".

" Really, and here I thought of helping you, but you can forget about that now ". Billy called everyone else. " Guys, Harold, get ready, where're out of here ".

" W-Wait! ". Lina called in distress.

" Wait? Wait for what? Are you gonna challenge me too and take my money if I lose? Or keep bossing me until you have what you need? Is that it? ". Billy asked accusingly.

" No! I wouldn't do that! ".

" Well, you certainly did it with him, so what now? ".

" Please, listen, I-?! ".

" Aaaaah! ". Both trainers turned to see Harold outside now. " It's hed! She's the one who beat Pinkie! She took my money! Why is she hede? ". Harold hide behind Billy at the sight of his nemesis.

" To take more money apparently. Let's go Harold, let's find that cave and your stuff ". Harold nodded and walked clinging to Billy in case Lina tried to rob him again.

" Willy please! I wasn't going to rob you! Maybe ask for some spare change, but totally not Rob you! ". Billy stopped in his tracks, making Harold bump into his s back. He turned to Lina who jumped back. " Wha-what?! ".

" I told you my name was...! You know what, forget it. Let's go ". At his call, his friends, humans and PokePon alike followed him. Twilie even blew her a raspberry and turned as well, happy that her trainer was leaving the white haired interloper behind.

Lina looked as the group gained distance from her and her ruined camp, soon they were out of sight and Lina couldn't do nothing but to go back to her tent. Inside, she looked around and saw most recent f her stuff dispersed but still there.

She took a few things to start packing but not a minute into it she dropped down, placing her head between her hands. Crecea entered and found her seating down with a crestfallen face.

" What are going to do now Crecea? How are gonna help Nana now? With him we could have make it closer to the professor but now, now we don't know how long will it take, and even with the money we have we may not make it in time ".

" Why, shy shy? ". Crecea asked.

" What? You know we can't do that! As soon as we contact my parents they'll come and take us back! And then we'll lose any chance to make Nana's dream come true ". Crecea understood the consequences as well, she walked next to her trainer and sat next to her in a display of camaraderie, something rare for her.

AWAY FROM LINA'S CAMP...

" Sorry, I didn't know she was the one who took your money ".

" It's ok, I'm just glad we got togethed again. I don't know how long would have I lasted just eating beddies and dinking dived wated ". Harold was still eating some of Billy's bars as they walked toward the main road. Billy decided that getting back to the path he used to enter the forest was the best way for Harold to get a sense of direction and figure out where was the cave where he was attacked.

" Ok ". Billy said as he took out his PonyDex to show him the map of the area. " Here's where we are ". Billy pointed at their position. " Here is where the bridge to cross the river is, and here is where Lina's camp is, she... she..! ".

" Something wdong? ". Harold asked as Billy paused.

" No, is just... maybe I was too hard on her ".

" Uh? ".

" No, I mean, I'm mad that she lie to you and took your money but, maybe, maybe she had a reason as to why she did it, not that it justify her but maybe, I don't know, sorry, not the topic ".

" Nah, I'm ok, I'm still scaded of hed but at least you ad with me now and she seems niced than befod, so maybe she is not so bad, maybe ". Harold expressed making Billy more thoughtful about the girl. " Ya wanna go back? ".

" I... no, let's get your stuff first, if I, if we come across her again, I'll talk to her ".

" Oh! ".

" What is it?! ".

" This padt oved hede! The dived bdanch a little hede, the cave was close to that padt! I'm sude! ".

" Really? ". Harold nodded. Then there's where we're going, guys? Let's move out! ". The little group ran in the direction marked. It took a while, but eventually they found the part where the river branched and from there they followed the short part of the stream to a clearing.

" Yes, I have been hede befode ". Harold pointed to a particular tree.

" Do you remember that tree? ". Billy asked.

" No, it because it written here ". Billy took a closer look at the tree and found text carved into the bark.

Harold was here!

" Ok so, which way now ".

" Let me see ". Harold did a 360 slow turn checking for another clue as to the direction they needed to take next. " Yes, yes, it's coming to me now, hm, that way! ". He pointed in the direction where the forest became more thicker, it remind Billy when he and Harold got into the forest back in initiation day, also looking for Pinkie just like now.

" I'm sure the caves are that way! ".

" Ok, then let's move, Mac, Beowoolf take lead please ". The stallion PokePon nodded and started trotting toward the trees while the Timberwolf barked and follow behind his red companion while Twilie brought the rear.

Harold saw the wood PokePon and was surprised. " Dude, you're incredible! ".

" Uh? You mean me? Why? ".

" Well, is just, you just got almost eaten by a Timberwolf, and now look, you have one as companion, that's like, screw fear! ".

" We-well, is not that I'm completely over that, but, aren't you the same? ".

" Me? No way! I get scared pretty easily and, well I wanted to keep them a secret but, I don't know much about PokePon ". Billy's eyebrow rose. " I know, you couldn't tell, couldn't you ". Billy was about to shatter his error but Harold kept speaking. " But the true is... the true is, I, I'm lame, just like that girl told me, I'm a loser, and a coward ". Harold's spirit dropped.

" Come on Harold, you're neither of those se things, didn't you catched a Changeling back in the other forest when we were running away? That takes some skill, and while is evident that you lack experience with PokePon in general that's something that can be improved. While I know more about PokePon than you there's millions that know more than me, and thousands that probably know even more than those. My point is, don't give up when you're just getting started, we can only improve if we move forward, not if we coward in the middle of the road ". Billy remembered those words from his Grandfather.

" Wow, thanks Billy, that made me feel better, so much so that I remembering the way more clearly! Come on, is this way! ". Harold went ahead and Billy followed him happy to see his friend back in action.
As they ran forward, from the shadows an observer watched and followed in silence.

A few more minutes passed when they finally came within view of the caves, plural.

" Forgot to tell you, there was more than one cave ". Harold said with guilt.

They boys found at least five entrances in front of them, all five were around the same size with no visual difference, either one could have been used to hide inside. " Do you remember-! ".

" No, sorry ". Harold responded before Billy could ask, Billy started thinking about a way to solve the new puzzle, if Harold couldn't remember which entrance he used the only solution he came up with was check each one and hope not to run into further trouble.

" Ok, let's start by checking the first at the right, if the cave is empty then we come back and get into the next one and so forth ".

" Sounds good, together, right? ".

" Yeah, you don't have a PokePon to defend yourself with and I don't know how good would you be able to work with one of mine, so together is better ". Billy said. Then he got a couple of flashlights out of his backpack and walked to the first cave, once more missing the shadow following them.

The inside the cave was just as one would expect, humid, smelly and with fungus growing out of the walls and ground, there were no footprints they could see or noise other than the one they produced while walking. Fortunately, about 15 minutes out the exploration they reached the end of the cave.

" No luck in this one ". Billy said.

" One less then, let's get back and check the next one ". The return was faster but by now Twilie was getting tired, unlike the two humans her steps were shorter and unlike the other two PokePon, she had less stamina.

" Here, let me carry you ".

" Twi ". Twilie exclaimed happily as her trainer carried her in his arms. The group soon reached the exit and without stopping for into the next cave. This new cave was different in a few senses compared with the first one, the ground was muddy and there was water leaking down from cracks in the walls, but the most important difference came 10 minutes into the walk.

" Oh crud, this is not good ". Billy illuminated ahead where the cave split in two paths.

" What now? ".

" Splitting up is out for f the question, and we walked a lot already, better rest for a bit and take a snack first before keep going ".

" Snack time! ". Harold said loudly, his voice booming all around them.

" Harold, not so loud ".

" Sorry ". As Billy tried to unpack some energy bars and food for his PokePon, another sound bounced through the walls right at them startling everyone. " You heard that? ".

" I did, it sounded like-? ".

" Like Pinkie! It must be her! It has to be her! ".

" Probably, but-! ".

" Pinkie! Pinkie! Daddy's coming! ".

" Harold! ". The boy ran ahead leaving his friend behind. " Harold wait! Dag nabbit! Guys, we have to catch up to him, quickly! ". Billy repacked his stuff and hurried behind the boy but to his horror he missed which of the two routes he took. He quickly flashed down and saw a trail of footprints taking right.

" Thanks s way! ". Billy called his companions and they obediently followed. The tunnel kept tilting left until it came to a stop inside a natural chamber with an opening in the top, the cave here was wide and tall and the light allowed easy view of the chamber.

" Guys, it seems we found the right cave ". Billy said to his outrage, the three PokePon looked in awe at the cave, beautiful stalactites hung from the cealing, the light getting inside caused the stalactites to shine like chandeliers thanks to the water attached to them.

However, what really called his attention was the pile of discarded junk that formed a pile in the middle of the chamber. There were many items mixed in there, cups, pans, a few sleeping bags and many more camping things, but the most important one was the backpack with an incubator attached. He could see the egg still in there.

" That's Harold's backpack! ". Billy approached the pile trying to see if it was reachable, a few things crumbled under his weight but others held up. " I'll try and see if I can grab it ".

" Twi! ". Twilie tried to persuade him not to go seen the high of the pile, while the backpack wasn't on top of was still too high.

" Don't worry Twilie, I'm sure I will be ok ". Securing his footing, Billy continued climbing up, he took his time making sure he could find something solid to grab and go step over and did some considerable progress. As he kept climbing a thought came to his mind, been that how did all this stuff managed to get here? Harold did mention finding more missing stuff before been chased out by some bear creature.

" Twi! ".

" Eenope! ".

" Woof wooorgh! ".

His three PokePon screamed at him. " What's wrong?! ". He s answer came in the form of a buzzing sound. The sound immediately made him remember his encounter with the herd of changelings and as quickly as he could be started climbing down, but it was too late.

The buzzing coming from above him grew lauder and he did the mistake of facing up and see the creature that decended, a beast at least twice heavier than him and maybe half a body taller, it was covered in white and black fur with yellow marks in the legs, big claws, muzzle and a huge stinger seemed to be it's weapons, the most notable feature was the tiny wings that made the creature airborne.

" Wha-haaaaa?! ". Before he could ask at loud what was the creature he saw, Billy lost his grip and fell from the pile.

END OF THE CHAPTER.

Author's Note

I'm finally back at it! For at time at least. As I mentioned in another of my stories, I took a two week vacation to rest and relax, unfortunately, one of those weeks was spend dealing with the cold and lost of power and water, I don't know how bad it was for other parts of Texas but Houston had it pretty bad. I lost power for 4 days and even when it came back at the fifth it was a limited amount, no fridge and no stove, most adults could deal with it but children and old folks were hit pretty hard, my own kids were bumping into objects at night during the first two nights until we decided to send them to sleep as soon as the dim sunlight was out.

Anyway, as always, thanks for reading, very appreciated, hope to have you back and I'll see what story I jump next, for now I let you with the horrible introduction of one of MLPFIM more badass villains, the mythical BUGBEAR!
You got goosebumps, didn't you?