The Way of the Dragons

Top Dog

After saying our goodbyes, we took Professor Cherry's offer and decided to stay at the Silverstone Town Inn. It was a cozy farmhouse with a big paddock with Rapidash and Tauros inside. Once we got our rooms, we rushed upstairs to check them out. It was a decent-sized room with a balcony that overlooked the paddock.

"I wonder what we're gonna do tomorrow with Professor Cherry." Nina wondered aloud as she flopped on the bed.

"I don't know, but I hope we get to explore more of the Xaja Kingdom." I said with a wink.

"That, or help take care of the Pokémon," Rina said softly, "Battling those Pokémon was pretty scary."

"But you did it, right?" Kat asked, "You'll find your confidence soon enough, Rina. I know you will!"

Rina smiled and nodded. When night fell, the girls and I changed into our sleepwear and turned in for the night.

What will tomorrow bring?

When the new day dawned, we walked toward Professor Cherry's lab.

"I could hardly sleep last night!" Nina said, "I was too excited for what Professor Cherry has in store for us!"

"Same!" Elsu said, "I'm down to do whatever, honestly. Whether it's battling wild Pokémon or taking care of them."

"I'd prefer to take care of them." Rina said softly.

Rina is too innocent for this world; she's so sweet!

When we arrived at the lab, there were a lot of Pokémon in the paddock, more than yesterday. Walking up to the fence, we saw Professor Cherry feeding a Donphan.

"Professor Cherry!" Eric called out as he waved.

The professor looked over and smiled. We hopped over the fence and walked over to the professor and Pokémon.

"Wow, there are a lot of Pokémon here," Kat commented, "Are they all yours, Professor?"

"Nope. These Pokémon belong to Ezonian trainers traveling across Ezonia and the world right now," she said, "This Donphan just came in from a trainer in Sinnoh."

Whoa. Pokémon from all across the world. So cool!

"So, you kids came back to lend me a hand?" Professor Cherry asked.

"You bet!" Elsu answered.

"Great, because I could use the extra hands."

"What do you want us to do?" Kat asked.

Professor Cherry smiled before turning back to the Pokémon.

"Keep the Pokémon in the paddock calm and active," she said, "Some trainers said that their Pokémon were really lazy and wouldn't listen to their commands."

"We can do that, right guys?" I asked.

The others nodded with wide grins.

"Thanks, kids," Professor Cherry said, "I'll be inside if you need me."'

With a final wave, the professor walked inside the lab. I turned my attention back to the Pokémon and breathed out a heavy sigh.

"So, divide and conquer?" Eric said.

"That's probably the best option at the moment," Nina said, "There's a lot of Pokémon."

With a final nod to one another, we scattered across the paddock. As I weaved through the Pokémon, Libby hopped off my shoulder and sprinted up to a Leafeon resting on a rock in the sun. Libby let out a cry as she wagged her tail. The Leafeon looked down at Libby and smiled with a friendly cry. I pulled out my Pokédex and scanned the Leafeon.