The app had been simple enough to figure out, and a short hike to the outskirts of the city later, Indigo, Jack, and Jill found themselves waiting for their ride pokemon at a sort of ranch set up. He had intended on proceeding to Valpisa alone, but company–- even if it was in the form of Jack and Jill-– seemed comforting, in lieu of Margo and Dan at least.

Would they split once they got to the city? Indigo hoped to find other trainers, friends.

At once, a shadow covered his body, forcing him out of his thoughts and into his surroundings. As he glanced up, he saw a familiar, friendly faced pokemon once more–– he smiled. It was the Drampa from just a few days ago with Margo and Dan!

"Hey! Remember me?" Indy called out, waving as the Drampa flew in closer. The pokemon blinked it's round eyes and stuck out it's tongue just slightly, letting out a low rumble of agreement. As they landed, Indy ran up for a hug.

"I'm glad we get to see each other again!" He leaned in closer with a whisper. "You remember seeing Ho-oh too, right? And Margo? Dan? I'm not crazy right?"

The pokemon gently shook their head, letting out a sympathetic murmur. Truth be told, it was difficult to discern whether the creature fully understood, but Indigo had an inkling that Drampa remembered too.

After saddling up and paying, the three trainers were soaring into the skies soon enough. Drampa were remarkably easy to ride, compared to other pokemon like smelly Tauros. For the most part, conversation was kept to a minimum. They were soaring through the rushing winds and open air, and having to shout to talk in the high altitude quickly proved to be a pointless idea. So Indigo took this time to reflect.

The higher they flew, up to Zanna town, the more beautiful the scenery became. This perfect day had no concern for Indigo's or Jack's recent misfortunes. It was a constant reminder, that the world was a big place that would keep going, no matter what.

The group found themselves over halfway up the mountain in just under an hour. Avoiding all the twists and turns of the route below, this was the way to go, for sure. They were getting high enough to pass some small white clouds. That's when they saw them.

"Look!" Jill shouted. She was leading the three of them and was the first to notice a flock of Swablu, with two Altaria at the front. They almost blended in with the clouds, nearly a dozen or more of them. "That's amazing!"

The flock didn't seem to pay the teenagers any mind, and continued on route, which ran perpendicular to the route the trainers were flying. They wouldn't be able to catch up to them if they wanted. Not only were the Drampa they were riding instructed by their trainers not to go off course, but if the Swablu family got spooked, there would be no way the grampa Pokemon would be able to keep up.

Indigo careened his neck, now fully alert. He gritted his teeth and clenched his hands, brimming with excitement. Swablu! They were too cute with their downy, powder blue bodies and white, cottony wings. Their superceding evolution was no dissapointment in superior design, either. Altaria were as elegant as Swablu were adorable, and powerful to boot. Then their abilities-- He needed to focus. Indigo's mind wracked and raced for an idea. If only he had wings, but then again, he knew someone who did.

In a burst of light, Vivi the Vivillion appeared. "Vi!"

"Vivi, see if you can call one of those Swablu or something over! Maybe one of them wants to hitch a ride with some humans?" Indigo was practically pleading, he so desperately wanted one. "Oh, and take Mimi!" He made sure to aim her release into his arms, such that she would be able to easily take in their current state: several hundreds of feet up in the air.

A flash of light shaped into the form of the Buneary, peeping out of the safety of Indigo's arms. "Miiii!" Her eyes grew wide in shock.

"Sorry, Mimi, for the surprise. Everything's okay. Are you alright?" Indigo patted the buneary's head. Mimi nodded, now visibly relaxed. The height didn't necessarily scare her–– it had been a shock at first initially, but knowing they weren't in danger was all she needed.

"Do you think you can help recruit one of those Swablu? Maybe one of thems gonna wanna travel with humans?" Indigo gestured towards the flock.

Mimi nodded, ecstatic about the idea. A new friend to make on their adventure! This was just a free flight on Vivi's back, which she gladly would have taken. Jumping onto Vivi's back, the two soared away in the direction of the Altaria and Swablu, disappearing into the clouds. Indy held his breath.

"Oh no you don't!" Jill shouted, as she pulled out two Pokeballs. "You're not the only one who's going to get a Swablu!" She threw the two Pokeballs out in front of her one at a time. Out of the first came her Fearow, and out the second popped her Ledian. "Go after them, girls!" She caught their Pokeballs as her Drampa caught up to where she'd thrown them. Her Pokemon then zoomed off into the distance, following Vivi and Mimi to catch the Swablu.

Minutes passed as they all waited in anticipation. Jill and Indigo were doing the majority of the worrying though, seeing as it was there Pokemon they put at risk. What if that flock of Swablu turned on them? What if they attacked? And if so, how strong were the two Altaria that were leading them? Maybe this was a mistake... Then, from out of cloud to their left. All four of their Pokemon emerged, followed shortly by two Swablu.

The two Swablu seemed very fond of one another, playfully weaving back and forth in the air, performing synchronized tricks. But, when Vivi and Mimi returned to Indigo and the Fearow and Ledian returned to Jill, the two split from one another. They had apparently already worked out who would be joining which trainer's team. The boy Swablu would be joining Indigo, and the girl swablu would be joining Jill... Jack, meanwhile, was trying to hide the smile on his face. He wasn't in the mood to be happy yet.

"Cloud," Indigo announced as soon as the Swablu came fluttering onto his outstretched arm. "Cloud, do you like that name?" The little Swablu hummed a deep, brilliant trill that emanated from the depths of his breast. His dark, bright eyes were keen and curious. He immediately cocked his head and hopped. Indy nearly died from the cuteness.

"You are just so pretty," he sighed, gently tapping the outstretched crest of the Swablu. "Oh, I'm Indigo–– Indy. Nice to meet you. Cloud, that's Vivi, and that's Mimi." Indigo pointed to the pair, with Vivi now doing somersaults and Mimi cheering, as they dipped and spun through the air. "And you'll meet Hawka and Neon later. I think you're going to like it here."

Cloud hopped twice with a happy cry, beaming.

It was the time of their lives, whether they knew it or not. Traveling with acquaintances that would one day become their best of friends, and seeing the world from above, flying upon the backs of Pokemon, it was a time they would never forget. If they did forget, it would still influence their actions for many decades to come.

It was 1:00pm by the time they reached Zanna Town, the small town atop the tallest mountain in West Septoh. The stone streets, the familiar buildings, the library built around the great tree, all these places brought back memories for Indigo.

He drew in a deep breath on the back of the Drampa, seeing Zanna Town once again. It was an old and small town, but loaded with culture and beauty and mystery. He remembered how he had felt first entering Zanna, being unimpressed and bored by it all. But so much had happened here. Who would have thought? He sighed.

Despite the memories, they all needed to keep moving. There was nothing left for them here. They had a mission to reach the next town, and they wanted to get there before the day ended. Hence the reason why they ended up at the stables on the south side of the town. The stables were made of mismatched wood from the mountain forests around Zanna Town. Inside the stables they found one employee, four Bouffalant, and one Blitzle.

Struck by Blitzle's electric beauty, Indigo asked if he could ride the Pokemon.

The stable worker smiled, "Of course. I wish I had enough Blitzle for all of you, but they are usually the first to be rented, due to their speed. But personally I like the comfortable ride Bouffalant provide, what with their thick fur and all."

"Works for me." Jill mused, happily patting the Pokemon's dark brown hair.

Jack only shrugged, pretending not to be jealous of Indigo's quick choice. Fitting that the faster to ask trainer would get the faster Pokemon, he thought. Had he spoken up two seconds sooner, he would have picked the Blitzle.

And so, they were off. They said goodbye to the city frozen in time, and started their way down the mountain. It was steep decent down the rocky mountain side, but their rented Pokemon were well equipped for the ride. They made it to the foot of the mountain in about thirty minutes. Before them, the Okavu Delta stretched out for miles in all directions, and they could make out movement on the horizon. There were definitely Pokemon out there...