It took Margaret a little longer to be ready to go, but she eventually managed to take care of her team and pack her things up. Then she and Espeon joined Quen and Absol.

"The Falls aren't far from here," she commented. "A few hours off, at the most."

"Alright." Quen grinned briefly. "Should be fun. If there's a decent-sized pool we might have to stop for a bit to let Sharpedo out to have some fun or else he'll be grumbling for days."

"We'll actually have to cross the Falls," Margaret said. "Up one side of the twin waterfalls and down the other. It's the only way to get from here to Johto."

Quen nodded. "Sharpedo will love that," he muttered, shaking his head. "Well, you know where you're going better than I do."

Margaret nodded and took the lead, heading towards Tohjo Falls. She'd crossed the Falls once before, so she knew the best way to get there.

Quen followed her quietly, content to walk at her pace. Hey, he didn't mind; it gave him a chance to look around more.

As they got closer to the entrance of the Falls, Margaret reached into her bag and pulled out a little bottle of Repel. She used some and held it out to Quen.

"You'll want it," she said.

Quen blinked but took the bottle and used some as well. "Thanks," he said quietly, handing it back. "What are there a million of around here?"

"Zubat," Margaret replied with a bit of a grin. "Some Golbat. Nothing my team can't handle for us, but they're just annoying."

"True," Quen said with a brief grin. "We've run into Zubat before. They are very annoying." Absol snorted his agreement.

"Yeah," Margaret agreed. "They aren't a problem for us, really... There are just so damn many of them, it's like they never end."

"I know," Quen said with a little groan. "Endless Zubat who have nothing better to do than attack us. Trent and I got mobbed by five at once. It wasn't hard, just annoying."

Margaret nodded emphatically.

"I know how that is." She gestured for him to follow. "Come on. Most of the cave is flooded, so be ready for that."

Quen nodded, his hand on Sharpedo's pokeball, and followed her inside. At least Zubat didn't dive at them immediately.

The Repel seemed to be working well enough for the moment, even as Margaret reached for Starmie's pokeball. She released it and nudged it a bit.

"Hey," she said softly. The steadily blinking jewel in Starmie's center faltered for a moment, and flashed a couple of times. "Come on, I need your help for a bit. We're crossing the Falls again." Starmie flashed at her a few more times and spun into the water, waiting for her. She looked at Quen. "Ready when you are."

Quen nodded and released Sharpedo. "Behave yourself," he said to the pokemon. "We're crossing the falls, and no don't be an arrogant little dick and think you can do it on your own. They're in the lead."

Sharpedo grumbled but agreed, waiting for Quen to get in the water already.

Margaret waded into the water and clung to Starmie.

"Alright, let's go," she said. Starmie blinked obediently and started off up the first waterfall.

Sharpedo followed Starmie, making sure Quen stayed put as he went up the first waterfall.

Quen was happy once they were at the top, though, wiping his face and getting some water out of his ear.

Margaret waited at the top to make sure Quen made it, and then nudged Starmie down the other side. Starmie obliged, skimming down the second waterfall easily.

Sharpedo followed Starmie easily, snickering at Quen's muffled swearing.

"Dammit, there's a reason my brother does water, not me," he grumbled when they got down the other side.

"However bad you think you are with water, Aleron is worse," Margaret said as she let go of Starmie and got out of the water. She was totally soaked, but she had worn her bathing suit for a reason when they left the ranch. She would change at the next pokemon center.

Quen snickered after a moment. "Makes sense, being a fire lady and all," he said, still grinning. "Wonder how many times Trent is going to push her in the lake...?"

"I'm sure we'll find out," Margaret said. "Come on, let's get out of this cave before the Zubat attack. The path will take us straight into New Bark Town."

Quen nodded and got out, shaking himself off and recalling Sharpedo before he started walking.

He'd dry out. Eventually.

At least it was warm on this side of the mountain, Margaret couldn't deny that, and there was a gentle breeze that made it so they dried off quickly. The two managed to get to New Bark Town just as night fell.