Sorry for my... hiatus... but uh... I'm back! (Nananananana)

Also, I'm shooting to update tomorrow as well, and maybe even on MLK day!
----

And now that you've had some candy, you're going to stop training and enter a tournament.
Pixie? Pixie!
No use trying to convince me otherwise!
: But Ash...
No, Holly. This isn't healthy. I'm sure fighting isn't either, but that's better than training in near zero temperatures in almost no clothing.
: But...
Nothing is changing my mind!
: Nothing? Cause I found that Mr. Narkrap guy creeping around again.
: The name is Karnab!
What do you want, Karnab?
: You'll see. Just come with me to see Mardoc.
If this turns out to be a waste of time, so help me...
: Threat noted. Onwards!
: Have fun, Ash!
You're coming too.
----
So what do you want us to ask Mardoc?
: Oh, just for permission to explore the region of Malkt, nothing major!
That's it, we're going home.
: Oh, that's a shame. I've been hearing ancient myths about a hidden temple that lets you travel to different worlds!

: I thought Malkt would be the best place to start looking, but I know Mardoc won't give me permission to search by myself.
Well, what are we waiting for? C'mon!
: Ash, I thought you didn't want to go?
But... er... this is the chance of a lifetime!
: If Karnab is right.
Worth the risk!
--

: Yes, yes. We have time for formalities latter. I've come for a very important reason.
: You think everything is important, but continue.
: You see, I've taken up adventuring and exploring. I was hoping to have permission to explore the Malkt region.
: Absolutely not, far too dangerous. I'm not having your death on my head.
: You're overreacting. Besides, Ash and Holly will be protecting me, right?
: Absolutely not!
Hell yeah we will!
: ...
: Hmm... in that case, I believe I shall allow you to explore. However, Ash and Holly must bring along a monster of at least rank B. Understood?
: Yes indeed.
: Good. Now I'm off to official things.
: Right, we'll be off... not... exploring Malkt...
: As it should be.
: ...now c'mon, let's go check out Malkt.
: But he just said-
: We're just finding it. Nothing more.
: Ash...
C'mon, Holly, there's no harm in just checking it out.
: Whatever. If we get in trouble, I'm not talking to you ever again.
...
----

: Ah, here it is!
...when did you two change clothes?
: A while ago. It's too cold to not wear these.
But it's cold at the ranch and you've never wo-
: Shush.
: Right, now let's head it.
: But you said that we'd just check it out!
: Oh relax, we won't go far.
Yeah, no harm, Holly.

Who the hell was that?
: I'm Geras. I followed you three here so I could find these rumored world transporting temples.
You're not getting in our way!
: Oh but I am. Pirate and I will end you right now, too. Make sure there's no evidence, you know?
: Evidence of what?
: ...shut up! Pirate, get them!
Pixie.

I have to say, I wasn't worried for Pixie. Even with her recent loss to that Hare, she was still obviously a good fighter.

Pirate launched itself at Pixie, skillfully using its tail as a weapon.

And Pixie dodged every attack. Sometimes I wonder if anybody else even tries training their monsters.

: Dammit, this isn't working. C'mon Pirate, we've got better places to be!
...good riddance, he looks like a crazy cultist, the type that always end up killing everyone. Let's get going, we need to get as far as possible.
: It's getting late, we need to leave now. If we don't, we might never find our way out.
What? You're the one who wanted to go on!
: I'm with Karnab, Ash. We've got to get going. We're already going to be in trouble if we get caught.
Fine...
----

: I really should thank you.
But we didn't find anything, because you guys chickened out!
: Oh well. Make sure you contact me when you get a rank B monster so we can explore Malkt properly.
Right, I'll contact you right away.

Now, since we missed that last tournament, we need to get back on track. I think you should enter this one. You need to hit rank B as soon as possible.
: I dunno Ash, Pixie's getting pretty old.
Bah, she can reach rank B, no problem!
: ...are you ok, Ash?
Perfect! Why?
: It's just that you seem a bit obsessed with finding this temple now...
Just exciting, that's all! Perfectly fine!
: But...
Perfectly fine!!
: Don't you trust me, Ash?