"You should do really well against Morty in Ecruteak City," Margaret commented. "He uses ghost-types, and for whatever reason, they're weak to dark-types."

Quen cackled. "Oh that's going to be an easy one," he said gleefully, rubbing his hands together. "Is there a psychic-type gym here too?"

"Not in Johto," Margaret replied, grinning. "There's a fighting-type gym, though." She smirked. "That one was easy for me. Crazy easy."

"Oh I bet." Quen snickered. "That will be an interesting one. Sounds like Johto might be a bit more of a challenge than Kanto."

"It is in its own way," Margaret said. "Kanto is a bit more... traditional, I guess, than Johto is." She shook her head a bit. "But anyways, the first couple of gyms shouldn't be a problem. Goldenrod usually gives people problems, I've heard, and sometimes Olivine, but otherwise..."

Quen nodded. "Yeah. Well, we'll find out as we go through." He paused. "If we end up going the same way, anyway."

"Maybe," Margaret said. She really had no destination in mind, since she had all the badges. She just wanted to travel. So she might tag along with him.

Quen nodded and settled in for the night. "We'll see," he agreed mildly, closing his eyes and using Absol as a pillow again.

Margaret settled in as well, snuggling into her sleeping bag. Morning came earlier than she would have liked, but she got up anyways, stretching and grumbling a bit.

Quen got up around the same time, stretching out and relaxing for a minute before he packed up.

"Whenever you're ready to go," he said, looking at her.

Margaret nodded and gathered her things. It didn't take long for her to be ready.

"Let's go, then," she said.

Quen nodded and walked with her quietly, just enjoying the walk. It was nice outside, after all.

Elsewhere, back on the ranch, Trent was having a great time listening to Lady and Red grumble at each other. It was highly amusing listening to them insult each other in attempted courtship, especially when Duchess or someone scolded them for being grumbly.

"Are they going at it again?" Aleron asked, walking over to him, Vulpix trotting after her. She'd just finished cleaning up the yard, so she'd stripped down to a tank top and shorts.

"They're flirting real hard," Trent replied, grinning. "It's like they're trying to out-do each other."

Aleron snorted. "Doesn't surprise me," she said, shaking her head. "Alright, time to make yourself useful, come help me move these rocks to make a proper backyard."

Trent blinked.

"Alright," he said. He looked back at the pond, where his pokemon were lounging. "Poliwrath! Come give us a hand!"

Aleron nodded her satisfaction and went to go make a proper land-border with the rocks. It wasn't an actual wall, more a marker so the pokemon would know. And so she had a defined area to keep clean.

Trent and Poliwrath helped out until it was done. Poliwrath in particular seemed to enjoy moving the rocks around, although Trent figured it was because it counted as a workout. Fighting-types loved workouts.

Aleron noticed too and asked him to help move a few fallen trees, grinning. She knew how to keep her pokemon happy. Of course, 'her' was a very loose description here, since he was only living there, not actually hers.

Trent blinked when he saw Poliwrath happily complying with the instructions.

"You swirly little traitor," he said to his pokemon, although he was grinning. "She's not your trainer, I am."

Aleron laughed. "He just likes me better," she teased, watching the pokemon to make sure he didn't go overboard in moving the trees.

"He's showing off," Trent replied, still grinning. "Granted, he doesn't show off like Machoke tend to, but he still is, a little."

Aleron grinned. "Maybe he's trying to tell you something," she teased, shooting him a grin.

Trent just rolled his eyes and waded back into the pond to cool off.

"Come swimming with me," he invited, looking at her.