Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 22: On to Route 205

"Route 205 was great to see once more. We didn't get a chance to see it that well last time we were here. All we saw was the scenery pass us by, and the possibility of Team Galactic getting away with their plans for the Valley Windworks. I still remember the starry night we spent on Route 205 that day. We had a nice talk like we used to. I remember the times we used to spend laying out under the stars at the top of Old Man's Hill—called so because it used to be the home of a cranky old man who died when he fell down the hill (so the story goes anyway)—back home. It was nostalgic, and it was good time to spend bonding. We hadn't had a talk like that since we were kids back in Twinleaf Town...we all remembered the promise we made that night long ago..."

Jeremy threw his bags down on the hilltop and then threw himself down beside them. "If I walk one more step today, I'm going to fall apart," he groaned in pain, "I mean it."

"Agreed," sighed Alyssandra as she massaged her legs.

"All right, we'll rest here for tonight," said Sam, placing his bag down. He grabbed his water bottle from his bag and threw back his head as he emptied the remaining half a bottle, "I'm as tired as you guys."

Sam threw the bottle down by his bag and lay back in the grass, stretching out his body. He let out a groan of relaxation as he relieved the tension from his muscles and his shoulders where the bag had cut tracks into his skin.

The four of them lay back in the grass, looking up at the purple sky. The sun was sinking down below the clouds, and the first few stars could be seen in the middle of the night sky. It was like someone had pierced through the fog of daylight, and for a brief moment a glimpse of the night sky could be seen through the small window that was created.

"It's beautiful," said Alyssandra in amazement.

"Yeah, the whole Route 205 is," added Niya, "It's just too bad it's so long, and so full of hills. The walking wouldn't take so long if we weren't constantly changing elevation. It's like we're in a plane with an amateur pilot."

"When did Sam get his pilot's license?" asked Jeremy.

Sam let out a sarcastic laugh but returned his attention to the night sky. He really did agree with Niya; the sky was beautiful, as was the whole route.

Sam had only heard stories about Route 205, and how amazingly beautiful it was, he was happy to hear that they were all true.

"All right well," said Sam as he broke the serenity of the moment, "Camp won't set itself up, come on."

"Do we have to set up camp?" asked Jeremy.

"Yeah, because I'd like to sleep somewhere comfortable," said Sam simply as he stood up.

"I agree with Jeremy," said Alyssandra, "I say we sleep out under the stars! We ate a few hours ago at the rest stop down the road, and it's just so beautiful out! We should just get our sleeping bags and pillows and lie out in the field, like we used to on our 'camping trips' to Old Man's Hill back in Twinleaf Town, you remember?"

Sam smiled softly as the memories came back to him. The four of them would sneak out after dark and meet on top of the hill. They'd start a fire and tell ghost stories under their flashlights, and then they'd roast marshmallows and pass out by the fire with their sleeping bags around them, huddled together for warmth.

Sam also remembered how their parents would find them the next morning and carried them home still asleep.

"All right, fine," he yielded, "We'll do it—but at least set up one tent just in case it rains—you never know. I'll start the fire."